
Qom0W /10 



copvRrcHT DEPOsrr. 




Oiir Lord and Savior, ycstis Christ 



THE SACRIFICE 



AMARITA B. CAMPBELL 




BOSTON 
RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 
1909 



Copyright 1909 by Amarita B: Campbell 
Ali Rights Reserved 






Trb Gorbam Press, Boston, U. S. A. 



(gCI.A25:^550 



«-) 






To 
DAVID M. CAMPBELL 

This work is inscribed 



CONTENTS 

Mary, the Mother of Jesiis 9 

Beihlehem 18 

The Natimty 22 

The Refugee 31 

The Temptation 37 

The Tivelve Selected 50 

The Sermon JVonderful 58 

Some of the Miracles, Parables and Admonitions 

of the Christ 64 

The Transfiguration of Jesus 74 

Cleansing of the Eiril Woman 78 

Jerusalem 83 

The IVorld's Most Remarkable Feast 96 

The Betrayal 103 

Th^ Death of Jesus, the Christ 111 

The Resurredion 118 

The Sacrifice 125 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Our Lord and Savior Frontispiece 

The Blessed Virgin 10 

A Scene in the Manger 26 

The Mother and Child 30 

The Rest in Egypt 36 

Nazareth, the Home oj Jesvs 40 

The Lake of Galilee 50 

Christ Healing the Sick 66 

The Transfiguration 76 

A Penitent JVoman 82 

Jerusalem 92 

The Last Supper 100 

A Cross and a Croum 116 



MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS 

Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and 
his name shall be called Immanvel. 

I. 

BENEATH soft oriental skies 
"^Ihcre rests a village old and gray; 
The plateau \Yhereupon it stands 
Exhihits much of time's decav. 
Yet see \ve it as table spread 
To serve the fifteen hoary hills 
That sit about it with their feet 
Ali deeply pressed in cooling rills. 

In days agone that table bore 
A wealth of nature's products rare 
In golden grain, in fruit and flow'r; 
But soon, ah, soon was ruin there 
When gods withdrew their sanctioning: 
And now is Nazareth abased! 
Now doth her fields no longer bloom. — 
And are her garden spots laid waste, 
Tili far and near the eye may see 
But field untilled, but sky that frowns 
Upon her hopeless misery! 

'Twas in the dim evanished age, — 
Before our era was begun— 
There lived in Nazareth a maid, 
Descended from king Solomon: 
A child of kings, yet lowly was 
9 



The dailv life of princess fair; 
With sign of coronet on brow 
And on her shoulders weighty care, 
( — A fitting mother then was she 
To Him who humblv, freely gave 
Himself to calumny and shame, 
The burdened human soul to save — ) 
For tender was her age when she 
Was wilHng handmaid of her God: 
Through years upon those temple floors 
Her busy, youthful feet had trod 
In patient, happy servitude; 
Or there or in her humble cot 
Sweet dignity had marked her hfe; — 
Vain, worldly thoughts assaihng not. 
And none save kindly words and deeds 
Filhng her hours each passing day, — 
Her mind and heart too occupied 
To loiter with the thoughtless gay. 

So Mary Hved in quietude, 
With nature and her spirit's Guide, — 
An Angel's wisdom for her spread 
In open scroUs on every side. 

In every rock and tree and štrcam, 
In every lily, every reed — 
In ivy, rose and cyclamen, 
In grass and grain she found some need 
Of her true heart sustained and fed; 
Trod she the earth and yet was led 
10 




The Blessed Virgin 



The gross of earth to live above; — 
The air was filled with vvhisperings 
\Vhich told her of her Father's love; 
The sunshine was that Father's smile, 
The stars Ilis sjmpathizing eyes; 
The song of birds his tender voice 
Descended from the azure skies. 

Now when the virgin reached the age 
At which those maids were wont to wed, 
A spouse was chosen by the priests; — 
A righteous man of hoary head— 
And with some friends did Mary go 
To dwell within his humble cot, 
Among those children born of wife 
Then long deceased; yet time was not 
When Mary should be wife indeed! 

So passed the time serenely on 
To meet their courtship's simple end; 
And Mary, did she dwell upon 
The coming of that hour when she 
Would share a husband's joy and pain, 
Or rose her daily thoughts and pray'rs 
To a loftier, svveeter vein ? 



11 



II 



'Twas spring! and every bright-hued bird 
With voice or shrill, or pure and sweet, 
Was piping forth in Nazareth 
The new-born beautiful to greet; 
The tender Httle plants in beds 
Were tucked up snugly 'neath the ground; 
But hke to restless man were they 
Tili open gates they ali had found, 
Then trooped they forth in myriads, 
To lift on high each tiny head, 
To stretch to utmost each small form 
Tili seemed last night's poor little bed 
Undecorate, a narrow cell. 

And mother Nature seeing them 
Thus running wild, had thought it well 
To gIorify the world with gay 
And lovely blossoms, rarely found, 
Save in the joyous light of day; 
So buds burst forth to leaf and bloom; — 
The brown earth changed her gown to green, 
While rain and sun both nourished tili 
The whole became a brilliant scene. 

Aroused when saw they ali these things, 
The lark and bulbul, kite and dove, 
In every tree top, every thorn 
Forthwith began to make fond love; 
To pair and build beneath the eaves 
li 



Or round about fair Nazareth. 

The bee froni \vinter sleep awaked, 

To stretch his legs and take a breath 

Of honeyed air,the while that he 

Drew plans for hivings hundred-roomed ; 

The farmer sharpened well the plow, 

And \vell the horned steed was groomed. 

As joyously he set hiin forth 

To cultivate the mellow field. 

And in his mind huge graneries 

Were planned to hold the vvondrous vield. 

And then did Mary-gentle maid — 
About her dnties joy to see 
The plowman busy in the field, 
The nesting bird, the hiving bee. 
And ali God's creatures everywhere 
To him do homage willingly. 



13 



III 



'Twas mom! and as the rising sun 
Ulumined hill and flow'ry dale, 
An Angel, messenger of God 
Said to the virgin: "Mary, hail! 
Most blessed thou of ali thy sex. 
And blessed He whom thou shalt bear!" 
Then bade he call the little Child 
By name of Jesus, taking care 
To speak of Him as Son of God; 
And telling her how He should be 
The King of Jacob's ancient house, 
E'er ruling it successfullv. 
Then answered Mary when she heard, 
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord! 
Be it to me as in thy word ! " 

With gladness set she forth at once 
From home and friends in Nazareth, 
To seek among the far off hills 
Her coiisin, wise Elizabeth: 
And though the road was brown and bare, 
Her feet had scarcely left their tracks 
Ere scented lilies blossomed there. 
Nor desert sands nor hurricane, 
Nor prowling beast, which lurked anear, 
Nor burning sun, nor darkened night 
Brought her of weariness or fear; 
And no one crossed her lonely path — 
No prying voice, no eager eyes, 
14 



Had sought to question or disturb 
That bride of Heaven in earthly guise! 



15 



IV 



When Mary reached Elizabeth 
And told to her the mystery. 
Not one with dark suspicion's tongue 
Had questioned yet her purity: 
And was that matron filled with joy 
When maiden Mary sought her side 
To make of her a confidant. 

"And whence is this to me," she cried 
"That my Lord's mother come to me?" 
Blessed is she that hath beheved! 
To her fulfilled the prophecy 
Of many ancient Jewish seers!' 

'Blessed indeed, 'the maiden said, 
'O, I will magnify the Lord, 
For in His mercy He hath led 
My feet in paths of righteousness ; 
Hath blest His servant Israel, — 
The lowly raised, the high put down — 
My soul rejoiceth! It is well.' 

Beneath her faithful cousin's roof, 
Amid surroundings fair and meet, 
In mountain fastness did the maid 
But wish a quiet, safe retreat; 
Yet ali the world was not so kind 
As was the fair Elizabeth, 
Since when the virgin's state was known 
16 



To evil minds in Nazareth,— 
'Twas but a time they whispered it, 
Then eagerly the priests were sought, 
And in their ears was poured such tale, 
The gentle Mary soon was brought 
Before them that she might be judged; 
And yet so strong was her defense, 
Not one who heard would dare condemn; — 
Then shielded by her innocence 
She passed remaining months away, 
— Within her aged guardian's home, — 
Until there carae the Natal day. 

O, sweetest flower of womanhood! 
The rose without the thorn to vex; 
The incense-breathing lotus bloom, — 
The fairest lily of thy sex: 
And so as it was prophesied, 
Each separate nation, near and far, 
Doth bless thee that thou gavest it 
Emmanuel, The Morning Star! 



17 



BETHLEHEM 

And thou Bethlehem, in the land oj Judah, art not 
the least among the princes of Juda; For out of thee 
shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 

AMONG Judean hills lies Bethlehem,— 
Built anciently by sons of dark-hued Shem! 
Fair, obscure village named "The House of 
Bread. " 
Whence sprang the food by which man's soul is fed! 
In those far times a busy, thriving place, 
— The health resort of ali the Jewish race — 
So situated that the country lay 
Outstretched a gorgeous picture to display. 

Far eastward rose the purple Moab's breast. 
And visible the sea unto the west; 
While just at hand the rose-wreathed spring and pool 
Refreshed the toiler with their waters cool; 
There fig and olive and the statelv palms 
Ali flourished as when David wrote his Psalms. 

The stranger marked how populous the land. 
As to and fro the throngs on every hand 
0'er-crowded field and path and avenue, 
To gay bazaar from where the harvest grew, 
Tili as mere ants, which carry here and there, 
Looked ali the lines on distant thoroughfare; 
And then the hills were freckled o'er with flocks, 
As teemed the mountains with their native rocks; 

18 



Whilo brilliant stars were far more thickly strewn 
Across those skies than othei*where, thc noon 
— \Vith its unclouded wealth of eastern light — , 
\Vas scarcelv more illumined than the night. 

There everv thickol rustled loud with life. 
Of heasl and hird and inscct locked in strife: 
The fly dined on the gnat and as he flew 
Away with sated maw, the spider threw 
A weh acToss his path and feasted tool 
The hop-toad found the spider easy prey, 
Yet oft himself the food for snake which lay 
Unseen along the j)ath; the fisher hird 
Hung watehful o'er the pool for fin which stirred 
The shining depths; and eye of eagle bold 
Sought out the choicest himb in near by fold. 
While hon, lord of ali, r^ed plain and slope, 
Tracking in stealth the spotted antelope. 

Now on the day I would recall to you 
Fair Bethlehem with her enticing view. 
The crisp north A\inds among her eedars blew. 
And steadily was thronging therea-bout 
A varied and an on-increasing rout, 
As scattered children of the warrior king 
Were meeting there the yearly tax to bring; — 
There, such had been the mighty Ceasar's word, 
Should ali of David's line be registered. 

And where the throngs assembled there woiiId be 
Ali sorts of barter, sale and trickery; 

19 



Hence round about the public lodging place, 
Was seen the dress of rnanj a foreign race: 
With Cypriote there passed the leanied Greek, 
And Ind salaamed with Egypt to the sheik; 
The brazen helmet and the coat of mail 
Walked side by side with worshiper of Baal, 
Unmindful that the time and tluit the place 
To spring the Savior of the human race. 

One man there was — a sturdy Nazarite — 
Whose eyes grew anxious with the coming night; — 
Not fearful for himself but troubled lest 
His gentle ward should find no place of rest; 
For they had toiled through vale, o'er mountain side 
— Picking their way mid dust and stony slide — 
On weary feet or on a donkey's back 
From distant home with one small trav'lling pack; 
And when they reached the welcome Bethl'em gate 
They felt December's chill; the hour was late 
And Joseph worried o'er the maiden's state: 
So youthful she, perchance not yet fifteen, 
With hazel eyes and hair of golden sheen; 
Sweet eyes that looked afar to misty blue 
As though thev fain would pierce its curtain through, 
To find beyond the turquoise that One face 
Which left within her heart no vacant place. 

Now did this twain— late in from Galilee — 
Show by their dress, a life of poverty: 
But village carpenter, this Joseph grew 
Embarrassed by the throngs he wandered through, 

20 



Yet sought he steadily about the mean 

And crowded town for comfortments terrene. 

When šore and weary, did he find at last 
A sheltered spot — despite the concourse vast — 
Upon a cavern floor, in neighb'ring bluff, 
— Where ali surroundings were but rude and rough,- 
Yet more than satisfied these two that they 
Might safelv rest where David's sheep once lay- 



ii 




THE NATIVITV 

The people that icalked in clark?iess kave scen a great 
light: they that direll in the land oj the shadoiv of death 
upon thern has the light shijied. 

HERE rosy — fingered dawn caressed the land 
With gentler tonch than could a fairy's wand, 
Where restful shades and softly cooling breeze 
Are found at noontide neath great olive trees. 
And where the sun — at dav's evanishment — 
O'er ali that scene a blaže of glory sent. 
Tili nature's blandishments like cupid darts 
Had swept and penetrated human hearts, 
And made poetic spirits there to feel 
Job's holy inspiration o'er thera steal, — 
'Tis there the Christian heart with none of doubt.. 
Is led to search a common manger out; 
A lowly stali of ancient Bethlehem, 
Wherein was found to them a precious Gem; 
That Jewel cradled there, in barlej straw, 
Yet Gift which had not in it trače of flaw! 

Now round that village on the neighb'ring wold 
There dwelt the native herdsmen with his fold; 
Ay, from Beersheba to the plains of Dan, 
Was found unfurled the flag of mighty Pan, 
To guard those sons of Juda, ever known 
As sturdy as the trees with vvhich theyVl gro\vn; 
Their only roof the starry, azure sky 
Which did the jeweled domes of kings outvie, 

22 



Their rugs the grass, with broiderj of dew 
Tlian which a sheik's were not desired in lieu; 
Their strength, the \vine of hfe without its lees, — 
Their l)ed the tvvigs with coverlet of hreeze! 

The year I would irapress upon your mind 
Was not we learn the ordinarj kind; 
For tardv winter rains and shining dew, 
Had fed the earth, until there sparselv grew 
A luscious native grass, and ali the plain 
Was dotted with the brovvsing fold again. 

It seemeth though, since many raen kept guard 
On inanv folds that spring, 'twere truly hard 
So few were suramoned there to hear and see 
The sounds and sights of earth's sweet mystery. — 
Perchance those shepherds though, were thev who kept 
The fold for sacrifice, and therefore slept 
Upon that plain, beneath the midnight sky. 
To ever be the smoking alter nigh. 

Howe'er it be, one night, with ali asleep, 
Save he who did the shepherd's vigil keep — 
There fell athwart that fair Judean skv 
A light so brilliant, each poor, drowsy eye 
Spring quickly wide, as to them did appear 
A shining Angel form a-standing near; 
He, noting they had wakened šore dismaved, 
Said gently to them; 'Be ye not afraid; 
The tidings of a joy I biing to ali, — 
A blessed message! for vvithin a stali 

23 



Is born a Savior — Christ the Lord — and He 

To you made known by swaddling clothes shall be!' 

Then multitudes of Angels joined the voice 
Of that one herald, bidding them rejoice; 
And singing as they sought the Throne again: 
'Peace on the earth! good will to ali of men!' 

Those shepherds rubbed their eyes, and čast 
their gaze 
High overhead upon that star, whose rays 
Shot swiftly 'cross the sky from out the east, 
With dazzling brightness more and more increased, 
Tili flooded it their world — their little fold — 
Turning its silver light to molten gold. 

"O comrades let us go,' one shepherd said, 
To where the light of Glory hath now led!" 
"Not so!" another whispered, "Dare we go 
And leave the fiocks to prowling midnight foe?" 
"I know we need not fear;" the first replied. 
"The great Jehoyah will protect and guide, 
For heard we voices, in a sweet accord, 
Bidding us leave the fiocks and seek our Lord!" 

Now did those men but dream they heard 
a voice 
Bidding the world of man that it rejoice, 
Or heard they cheating noises of the night, 
The sighing breeze borne from the mountain height ? — 
Or serenade, or sounds of minstrelsy 

24 



Upon the air from some far revelry ? 

And vvas that radiance of falling star, 

Or did the gods their lightning bolts unbar? 

Or yet did planets Jupiter and Mars 

And brilliant Saturn form a ring of stars, 

Soon followed close by \vand'rer of the skies, — 

Whose origin the scientist defies ? 

But turn we must from every argument 
To štand by history of Testament, 
And teli to you that flocks were left, while they, 
The trusting earthly shepards, sought the way 
I^ading to where the dear Redeemer lay. 

Through grassy mead and o'er the dashing 
stream 
Sped on those shepherds as in a troubled dream; 
Through blooming glade with lamps of sparkling dew. 
And through the grove where rang the wild "To-who!" 
By crags where vultures roused from gluttoned sleep 
Stretched out their necks to take a midnight peep, — 
With one desire ali joyously they ran 
To question him who kept the village khan, 
If he knew aught of child new-born that night; 
Now bade he them await the dawning light, 
When they might search the city near and far; 
But seeking once again the guiding star, 
And moving in its vvake they soon were brought 
To near by cave; with feelings overvvrought 
They entered in and found the baby boy! 
That Child o'er which they could not leash their joy 

25 



As gazed'thej on Its form which softly la)', 
Within the mother's arms, among the hay. 

Took they nor špice nor costlj unguent, 
Nor were their modest clothes a testament 
Of any wealth and power they might possess, 
Since health was their raain article of dress; 
And yet those simple men, whose faith and love 
Are writ in blazing characters Above, 
To Jesus gave the perfect homage due 
Then laws of reverance to me and you, 
By falling at the blessed virgin's feet 
To with the Son the saintly mother greet. 

Ah, Love's sweet kingdom, 'stabhshed there 
that day! 
And Love the king who would extend his sway 
O'er haunt of man until there čame to be 
An end of viče and human misery: 
A springing up of mercy and that trust 
In God and good and Hfe ali pure and just! 
A love of home; a love of brotherhood; 
A love of woman better understood 
And lifted from the thrall to be the blest, 
Because of Mary, mother on whose breast 
Pillowed the Lord His infant head in rest! 

A company full strange we notice there, 
Neath one poor lantern's feeble, ghostly flare: 
One tiny Babe, predestined soon to be 
The Lord of every land and of each sea; 

26 




A Scene in the Manser 



Joseph — guardian soul — ; the virgin maid; 
The uncouth shepherds, kneeling half afraid, 
While cattle, sheep and goats kuee deep in straw 
Large eyed and wondering were at what they saw. 

Man marvels now that then the shepherd hind 
Could see the Glory whilc the cultured mind 
Was kept in darkness, and the trained ear 
The song of peace was not allowed to hear: 
God did the scribes and rabbis ali eondemn 
To lack of knowledge; yet he gave to them 
The great, wise trio — who had journeved far — 
Those eyes of faith to see the guidiug star, 
And opened wide their ears that they might be 
Attuned by love to that sweet symphony. 

Those three wise heathen men \vho had 
been led 
To seek and find the Savior's lowly bed; 
Philosophers Avhose god had been the Buddh, 
And priest, who Egypt's laws had long construed 
Beheld a star of wondrous constancy, 
Slovv-moving in a track of brilliancy, 
And felt much more impressed by that one star 
Than we today by constellations are; 
Since see we them in world encircled skies 
With but the student's scientific eyes, — 
Without the hope thev \vere by Moses seen 
In blue Arabian skies; nor viewed I ween 
As once by Abram from Chaldea's plain 
When read he them for signs of loss and gain. 

27 



And what though Noah sought those lamps 
in vain 
From Grey Ararat's height; — and though they were 
Not always guides to stranded mariner, 
Upon the deep; yet this orb was by far 
Brighter than ali the rest together are; — 
Remaining fixed and straightly pointing out. 
To those three men, Ephrate's nearest route. 



And with this star had come a voice to them 
Bidding them seek at once far Bethlehem; 
At once therefore, did those three men depart, 
From three opposing points likewise they start 
With hope to find their dream's sweet counterpart : 
Nor lakes, nor streams, nor hoary headed mount, 
Nor desert wild, nor spiral-sanded fount. 
Nor black-browed skies, nor yet the howling wind, 
Could change the fixed desire of seeking mind, 
For as thev journeyed there had come the dream 
Of sweet Elysian field where shining stream, 
And balmy air— with Angel voices rife — 
Made new and sweet for them the spirit's life. 



The one — a Hindoo — much renowued for lore, 
Had traveled from the far oflF Ganges shore, 
The while his friends who čame from other lands 
Had faced AssyTia's or Egypt's sands, 
To find at last the liumble, native place 
Of Him who would regenerate a race! 

28 



And tliough they fouiul no throned and sceptered king, 
No gorgeous robes, no coronet, no ring 
To niark Him other than a peasant. bov, 
Thcse adversc signs did not their faith destrov, 
Sincc liglil there seemed so pure and undefiled, 
AH \vhitely shining round the lowly Child, 
Tliat His rude be(i, the poorest cattle stali, 
Hccame to them a splendid manor hali. 

Three gentle faces, full of vital thought, 
As hidden springs with living waters fraught; — 
Faithful to native cult, tili it, at last 
Had failed to give that poace \vhi(h holdeth fast; 
Then hearing shepherd's tale and knowing this 
Was their experience, thev stoo))ed to kiss 
The Babv's feet, and gaze into His eves, 
The while obedient servant quickly flies 
To loose the knots and biirst the bands which hold 
The stores of guarded treasure — gem and gold — 
Of camel train; for though these men did wear 
Long robes of beautv quite bevond compare 
Which \vere befringed and broidered ali in gold, 
With ruby, pearl and topaz in each fold, — 
Though wore they rings and daggers richly wrought, 
And sha\vls of Araby v.ith turkis caught, 
And though the trappings of their camels bore 
The mark of luxury froni foreign shore, 
Yet well ac-corded ali their rich array 
With praises sweet they carried Him that dav. 
As at His feet so tendeily they laid 
Those travs of precious gems, of nard and jade, 

29 



And costly fabrics in far countries made, 
Which valued with the frankincense and gold. 
And precious myrrh, a fortune did enfold. 

Anew sprang faith, and wider, sweeter hope, 
And charity that day enlarged her scope, 
As čame those priests from that rude manger out! 
There dwelt within their minds no sort of doubt. 
And yet as though to strengthen, čame the voice 
Of grateful nature bidding them rejoice: 
They saw to east the miracle of day, 
As grew to gold the coronet of gray, 
And saw the amethyst and burning blue 
Reflect their glories in the shining dew; 
And then the lark, late hushed by winter cold, 
New-swelled his throat and sang his matins old, 
While from the ere viče poured the waters sweet 
As they would lave the precious Baby's feet. 

Nor "Book of Dead", nor Buddha's laws 
could serve 
The faith and love of those wise men to swerve. 
As turned they homeward from that land of birth. 
To spread the joyous news o'er ali the earth. 



30 




The Mothcr and Child 



THE REFUGEE 

O Expectation oj Israel, f/ic Savior thereof in tune 
oj trouble, ivhy wilt thou he «.s- a ivandering mart ? 

THERE ruled in Israel one called, " The Great " 
Who rose through Rome to his august estate, 
And ever guarded well his unsafe throne; 
No light of strength in any eve e'er shone 
Throughout his kiugdom but that Herod .saw 
Within it soheme to thwart his iron law; 
When heard he therefore of a strange white sign, 
Which trom the eastern sky čame forth to shine 
In radiant splendor, and to point the way 
To secret bed wherein new-born there lay 
A tinv Babe much talked of, then could he 
But fret and worry 'bout the mystery. 

And knowing not this new Judean King 
Had but the soul's subjection come to bring, 
A thought of blood grew Herod's ehiefest one, 
Nor could he rest tili Ihought in deed be done; 
Though slyly did he seek to clothe this thought 
As had he to his royal presence brought, 
Those men of wisdom whom he knew had soue:ht 
The infant King, and felt he sure how they 
Might be cajoled to teli where Jesus lay. 

So humble did that ruler seem to be 
As questioned he those men right craftily, 
Pretending ali the while that he would know, 

31 



In order that with reverant haste he go 
To worship at the shrine of this new King; 
But did they well indeed in answering, 
For silent bows made up the knowledge he 
Could seem to get from ali their courtesj. 

And soon learned he how — his wishes spuming — 
They passed him by, to native shores returning; 
Yet as the tiger in blood-red desire, 
Pursues its prey and never seems to tire. 
So Herod sought the Infant lately born 
From dawn to eve and then anew tili morn; 
The while the lapse of time had quite sufficed, 
That Mary seek the temple with the Christ 
To show Him to the priest and pay the priče 
Of the time-honored Jewish sacrifice; 
— This for a son requiring shekels five 
And two white turtle doves brought in alive. 

Now when the blessed mother had thus done 
Her duty carefully, she took her Son, 
And with her guardian Joseph soon returned 
To quiet Nazareth for which they yearned; 
Yet scarcely did they rest tili God above, — 
Who guided them so wisely in His love, — 
Had through His messenger new-counseled them 
To turn once more their steps to Bethlehem; 
And they not knowing Herod had declared, 
Not one man-child would in that place be spared, 
Had entered Bethlehem obedient, 
Nor questioned why they were to Juda sent. 

32 



Ere soldiers could their master's wishes do. 
And with dead infants uli that village strew, 
God's messengor anear to Joseph drew. 
And cried aloud to him; 'Thou man ariše! 
And fleo ye south to find Egvptian skies: 
Take with thee there this new-born King of Jews, 
To tarrv with Him tili I bring the news 
That Herod's evil reign at last is o'er 
And thou in safety canst return once more. 

Ah, true had Jesus come to bring the sword. 
And Rachel weeping for her children poured 
In Rama's ears her cry of agony! 
Brave must have been the soldier! brave was he 
Who on fair Juda such destruction drew. 
As dared he pierce those soft, white bodies through! 
Yet praise we ever that the reeking blade 
Missed what it sought, though sorrow we it slayed 
In Bethlehem one single innocent: 
We read how Herod did at death repent, 
Nor raarvel we that each sad, baby cry 
Filled up his ears when čame his hour to die! 

But let us follow those whom God had sent 
— That they be safe — to vears of banishment! 

AH faintlv shone o'er mount of Paradise, 
The mellow blush of earlv morning skies 
That kissed the forest, meadow, hill and dale 
Where shadows frowned beneath a mistv veil; 
And softly too o'er rivulets there grew 

33 



The interlacing trees whose branches through, 

The wild birds sang a happy, morning lay 

As though in carols of rejoicing they 

Might show their sympathies, and sweetly greet 

That Holy family whose quiet feet 

Had left behind the Bethl'em village gate, 

To pass beyond where Herod's jealous hate 

Might hope to deal the cruel death which he 

Had planned for Jesus, Child of Mystery. 

Now though they'd passed the ^^llage streets 
so still, 
Yet barely had the rough and stony hill, 
Been traversed by the fleeing family, 
Tili every waking cock crowed lustily, — 
A "Good-good-morning-sir!" to new-born day, 
The kine began to low, the donkeys bray. 
And ali the camels which in khan-yard lay 
With tinkling bells kept time to fretful moans! 
The cameleers cursed loud in wrathful tones, 
As scores of dogs from ali the world rejoiced 
That many tongued, they yet could speak one-voiced. 

We wonder if the stir they left behind 
Disturbed at ali that exiled trio's mind, 
Or was that saved them, as devoutly they 
Pursued the path which led them Hebron way ? 
That path where he of fertile vision may 
Among those barren wastes see dreamily, 
The fruitful valleys as they used to be: 
The flock-strewn plain as vast as billowy sea, 

34 



And em'rald fields and orchard groves spread out 

In ricliost ciillivation therea-hout; 

Or hanging gardens or the ladcn vines 

Adorning scores of roughlv sloped indines, — 

Or harvcsts vet in wondroiis, hlazin«; gold 

As \vhen lived Boaz on the neighb'ring wold, 

And where svveet Ruth, than sharon rose more fair, 

Gleaned in the fields \vith vvheat-decked, raven hair, 

So charming she, the hoarv niounts above 

With youth renewed, looked down on her in love! 

How e'er it be we feel they passed their days 
In deeds and converse of a joyous praise; 
Ne'er had they thought to murmur or complain 
Of heavv burdens on their shoulders lain; 
But through the desert and 'oer mountain bold 
Sought out the land of which the Message told. 
While froni their paths fled everv thing that harms, 
As though su eh perfect lives were ruled by charms; 
The wolf and jackal roaming far with fox. 
The \vhile hvena-nature's paradox — 
Looked mildly on as o'er his head away, 
The tempting birds upwheeled to purpling gray. 

The leopard sheathed his claws and — so 'tis 
said— 
Lay at the Infant's feet an humbled head, 
The while the gaunt old king, of jungle beasts, 
Skulked near in shadows as though seeking feasts; 
Ay, were those travelers to him anear, 
Yet saw him not and neither did they hear 

35 



His hungrv cry, as rose his tawny head, 
With wish by them to be sustained and fed, 
For leashed he was as in those ages when 
The prophet Daniel slept within his den. 

The rose of Jericho bloomed where Christ trod 
And wild, sweet-scented thyme adorned the clod; 
The palms bent down their heads at His command, 
And offered fruits to His most blessed hand, 
Then, as thev reached the storied land of Nile, 
Fell every idol in a shapeless pile! 

At last that trio reached a place of rest; 
Where tomb of king and crocodile abreast, 
On every hand arose as monument 
Of how the thrall his years of bondage spent; 
Where ere the Christian era had begun, 
There reigned Osiris, Isis and their son 
And brother Horus; and where Pharoah's name. 
And ali the deeds he'd done that led to fame, 
Were deftly carved on pvramids of stone; 
Where God strewed plagues like as the seed is sown — 
When Egypt failed to set the Hebrews free: — 
'Tis there, for years, we leave the Refugee! 



36 



THE TEMPTATION 

For in that He Himself hath snfiered, being tempted^ 
He ia able to succor them that are tempted. 



N 



OW \vhen the Herod closed his bloody reign, 
The Holy familv turned home again, 
And filled a prophecv— an ancient one — 
"From out of Egypt have I called my Son." 



So long the journey must have seemed! the 
way 
Stretched on and on through sands, neath skies or gray. 
Gr blue, or rose it mattered not, for thev 
Were seeking Nazareth; ah, there it lay! 
At last, at last they reach their home once more 
And feel thev love its hfe as ne'er before! 

O land of beauty, Nazareth that spring! 
From throat of crested lark a \velcoming; 
The droning bee was glad, the cooing dove. 
And ali that crept the earth or soared above: 
E'en lazv fisli the waters newly stirred; 
While bloom and grass and budding tree concurred 
In joyous revelrv, as to award 
Their choicest homage to our blessed Lord. 

Ay, true it was a fair, inspiring land! 
The best of nature seen on every hand: 
There to the south Gilboa, where the dawn 
Sent primal shafts the while night's curtain drawn, 

37 



Still rested on the world of lower range; 

There could one see the Carmel and the strange, 

Round-breasted Tabor, clothed in green and brown, — 

And ghmpses of the Jordan winding down 

To reach the sea of Lot; and far away, 

Half-hidden by the heavy mists of gray, 

Who looked imagined he could see the land 

Reach out to grasp the great sea's beck'ning hand; 

While near to Nazareth, long lanes of red 

And snow-white oleander blossoms led 

To fruitful orchard and the grassy mead; 

And in the feathery palms the scented air 

Mysterious stirred as though was converse there 

Among the sprites and gnomes and fairies who, 

Were counciling on what they hoped to do. 

We marvel not the world doth hold it true 
That Christ to manhood in that village grew; 
For there was ali of quiet, ali of love; — 
There might the Voice instructing from Above, 
Find willing minds and eager hearts to hold 
Whate'er the Teacher might to them unfold. 

The cot of Christ, as heart of opened rose, 
Slept calmly in green petals of repose; 
A humble home, where lowly, whitewashed door 
With blooming vines was gayly trellised o'er; 
There swallows built their nests beneath the eaves, 
And tree-doves mated 'mong the camphire leaves; — 
Then in the one room, clean and neatly kept, 
Were quilts uprolled where last night ali had slept; 

38 



There on the walls the shining cups andTpans 
Of clav or brass well scoured; there waving fans 
Of green palm tips to ward the nagging flies, 
There porous water jar the heat defies, 
And on the rude, low table, neatly spread 
The poor man's fare of fruit and homely bread. 

And so the hfe of Jesus, though refined, 
Wa.s in his youth of unassuming kind; 
His food thus sim})le, nutritive and pure, 
Producing health and strength which could endure 
The toil of bench and hammer and the saw. 

I would I might a perfect hkeness draw 
Of comelv youth, the Christ! a presence rare; 
Of wondrou.s stature; straight and wholly fair; 
Eyes of azure depths, red gold in the hair 
Which softly down upon his shoulders fell; 
And on the face a Hght which čast a spell 
Of love or fear on ali; then manner free, 
Though quite reserved and full of majesty. 

Children of genius suffer! to be alone 
Is luxury but to the thoughtful known! 
As years went on, into the very heart 
Of forest glade the Savior drew apart; 
And as the gorgeous bloom refiects the light 
So grew He in a purity and might: 
The moral height of špirit, and the true 
Humility, and trust, and lofty view 
He took of God's commands, making the whole, — 
The consecration of His sinless soul! 

39 



Yet drew He of the scenes which round Him 

Partaking of the sounds that day by day, 

He heard at work, in solitude or play, 

If lived He as did other village boys; 

But had He those same griefs and childish joys ? 

Did he delight in wrestling and the chase. 

And did He often fail to win the race 

Since 'twould have caused the weaker to outrun 

A normal strength, and thus a harm be done? 

Or did He e'er a sportsman seek to be, 

Then let through sympathy the game go free. 

To bind the wound and ease the gnawing pain 

Of injured one, and to its haunts again 

Return it there, lest other hunter see 

And profit by its sad infirmity ? 

Did careless deeds of human children grow 
To be His own, or did He ever show 
Himself so kind and just — obedient — 
He was daily lesson unto others sent ? 
Did other youths look on the Christ in scorn 
When sought He to instruct, or chide or warn, 
Or did they seem to see the gulf so wide 
'Twixt Him and them, they choose Him for a guide f 
Did pretty maid, with dark hair neatly bound. 
And feet soft-sandaled pass that One around, 
With glances shy, as seemed He even then 
Something apart from other jewish men ? 

There does seem httle we can ever know 
About His youthful happiness or woe; 

40 




'^- 



^ 



One thing we hold and that He couM but be 
Both wise and good in His humilitj; 
Of knowledge having ali, or gaining ali 
With perfect ease, and then vvhate'er befall 
Soft mannered ever, save when wrong and sin 
Had unrepulsed by man been welcomed in. 

What though His life was such a mystery 
Into the depths of which we can not see, 
Yet there is one sweet slory of His vouth, 
When He at twelve expounded Holy truth 
To doctors, elders and those ancient seers, 
Tili scart'ely dared thev confidence their ears. 

And in this wise the meeting čame to be, 
The week of Paschal feast and revelry 
Had ali but passed \vhen homeward turneth she, 
His mother Mary, noting not how He 
Was left behind; but later grew aware 
He followed not, and sought she everywhere 
Among the travelers who seemed to share 
The gnawing sorrow of her anxious mind; 
Soon turneth she however that she find, 
If youthful Jesiis had not joined with them 
As lately they had left Jerusalem. 
She reached the Holy city — fled her fears — 
She found Him in the temple with the seers; 
Then did admonish Him in gentle tone; 
'But know ye not' He said, when she had done, 
'That in My Father's house I must now be 
About His works, since He hath made of Me 
On earth the Captain of His embassy ?' 

41 



Plain is it why the wise had marveled how 
Such signs of knowledge sat upon His brow, 
Or frora His mouth had flowed more startling word 
Than thev from other vouth had ever heaid. 



And still find we, by turning hist'ry's page 
That twelve had bcen a most important age 
When other boys, rose out of Israel's race 
Marvels of wisdom and of Heavenly grace. 
The year of twelve saw Solomon's great pow'r 
As judge and prophet burst forth into flow'r, 
While Samuel at that same age became 
A seer of honor in Jehovah's name; 
And then among the rushes, dank and wild, 
Which fringed the sluggish Nile, was found a child 
That showed a judgement his worst foes among 
And saved his hfe at twelve through wisdom's tongue. 

For almost thirty years the Lord had passed 
A quiet Hfe, then left it for the vast 
Unbrokcn field of Pharasaic sod; 
With ploushare guided by the hand of God! 
Sowed He the seed of love which was Divine, 
And promised harvests of a perfect, wine; 
Though soil He found was often so impure 
That it would none save noxious less insure; 
Yet plowed and sowed He o'er and o'er again 
Tili sterile soil had sometimes yielded men, 
Who with Him spent their years in constant toil, 
Winning crops of Eshcol from old, barren soil. 

4S 



Now one there was among Judean boys 
Inurcd to hardship.«, tili thev grew his joys. 
Escaped from Herod with his mother, when 
She fled with him, her baby, into den 
Where e'en the grev wolf's fangs no terrors bore! 
Nor do we hear of John the Bapti«t more. 
Tili cometh he as prophet to proclaim 
To Juda's race the Savior's magic name. 
For five long centuries no prophet rose 
From Israel's midst, tili he, therefore thev chose 
To think him the Messiah; whispered they 
"This is the Christ, who cometh now to slay 
The roman dogs and set our people free!" 

But when they questioned him, ali humbly he 
Declared himself unfit to loose the string 
Of Christ's worn shoe; and that he čame to bring 
The tidings of Who would at last set free 
The soul of Israel from vassalry. 
'Repent!' he cried, 'The Kingdom is at hand. 
Repent! confess! 'and čame there from that band 
To be baptized; but sight of one anear 
Had blanchcd the Baptist's face as though in fear; 
And coming quickly out he cried: '\Mio art thou ?' 
Then prostrate at His feet, 'I know thee now! 
Thou art the Christ! come not, I pray to me 
To be baptized, but rather I to Thee.' 
'Suffer it for now,' his cousin Jesus said. 
And sweetly had His way by being led 
Into the waters deep to be baptized; 
Then was that waiting throng indeed surprised 
As swiftly čame from out of Heav'n a dove, 

43 



— The Father's sign of purity and love, — 
And with it Voice which said: 'This is the One 
In whom I am well pleased, My blessed Son!' 

'Twas hard by Jordan's stream that Jesus 
taught 
So manv of His truths and where He wrought 
So manv miracles; where doth remain 
The signs of love for Him sincere and plain: 
For still in trees which wave upon those banks, 
Birds fill the air with carols of their thanks 
To Him the Wonderful, the Saintly meek 
Who did their company so often seek; 
There blossoms on the banks and stars that rise 
— To honor whom the world now defies — 
Reflect in Jordan sweet new worids and skies. 

And sincc the Christ once entered that same 
stream 
To be baptized, the christian world must deem 
It most beloved of waters on the earth; 
Full grown and beautiful at point of birth, 
It drew of life from snow-clad Hermon's breast 
While sun and moon its smiling face caressed: 
From every cave and cranny, rock and spring 
Doth Neptune still those foaming waters fling; 
Those waves so turbulent, and swift and bright 
— Like serpents fleeing in a wild affright — 
Leap madly through the blooming oleander, 
Then over hill and through the vale meander; 
Scarce pausing for a rest in Galilee, 
And reach at last the far off parent sea. 

44 



In early historj tlie Savior went 
To lonely wilderness, and there He spent 
Six \vearv \veeks in fastin«]; and in prav'r, 
VVith nothing of the worl(] surrounding there: 
Judea's desert wild the Jesus chose, 
Where cHft" and cavern pile on pile arose; 
That j)hu'e where wilehcTaft niight be špirit Hve, 
And demonologj with God could strive! 
A honie for savage heast, and wand'ring band 
Of thieves and ghouls infesting ali the land; — 
Or yet of monk, that silent hermit gray 
Who lives apart to meditate and pray. 

'Twas there Elijah fled from Ahab's \vrath; — 
And now the feet of pilgrims tread that path, 
Seeming to see and feel the sights and fears 
Which there the Baptist mav have known for years; — 
See where Elisha healed the poisoned spring 
As lived he there, his faith ne\v-strengthening, 
And there ali turn to follow Hini who trod 
An unseen path which leadeth up to God. 

Imagine ye a Man ali sensitive 
A-hungered on those wastes and yet to live 
— Subduing of Himself each sep'rate trače — 
As suppliant to God for fallen race! 
There live \vith bird and beast whose savage cries 
\Vith roar of wind and crash of thunder \nes, 
While just belo\v, and barely out of sight, 
I)\vells ali of pleasure, ali of earthly light! 

45 



And yet how good to go apart and rest' 
Take stock of self, the worst as well as best, 
In solemn wood or by the quiet stream; 
There know thyself better than thou couldst dream 
In busy haunts; learn self-denial there 
— In one short hour of thought and silent pray'r — 
More perfectly than days woiild bring elsewhere. 

We marvel much and yet we can but guess, 
If fiercest hunger, pain and \veariness 
Assailed Thee Lord in that vast wilderness! 
Did visions come of bread and laden vine, 
Of luscious fruit and draughts of new-made wine ? 
Did cooling shade and softly flowing stream 
Make tangled skein of agonizing dream ? 
Did Thy sweet mother's face above Thee bend. 
And did the friends of youth on Thee attend ? 
Did homely scenes of toil and happy shout 
Confront Thy soul as hostages of Doubt ? 
Did blue doves whisper in Thine ears again, 
And blooms wavc thick before Thine eyes, as when 
Thou wast a Child in rural Galilee 
With home and friends to soothe and comfort Thee ? 
Or did Thy Father's love Thy soul sustain. 
Tili there was naught of hunger, grief or pain ? 
And wast Thou then so changed, that earthly thought 
And deed and wish were so subdued, and brought 
From out the human vein they did combine 
With perfect part and make the whole Divine ? 



46 



When Jesiis thus vvas fasting in the wild, 
The lord of man}' nations, sin-defiled, 
That wily Satan saw his kingdom sway, 
And fortlnvith sought to find a prop and stay, 
So strong that cven (lod who once had hurlcd 
Him forth fiom Heaven to found a nether world, 
Could not destroy with ali the Angel hosts 
His princely power; alas! alas for boasts! 
For soon had milHons burst his bonds into 
To take the yoke of Nazaritc in Heu. 

And how did Satan give his powers full sway, 
To tempt the Lord as there He knelt to pray ? 
Did wild winds roar, and fiercest hghtnings flash. 
And tlmnders threat those crags with awful crash ? 
And was the tempter so beguihng Him 
A devil personal, who sought to win 
A full control; or rather was the Christ 
By ali of human in His heart enticed ? 

Howe'er it be we seem e'en now to feel 
The Savior's enemy was strong and real, 
And seem to hear the tempter in his art, 
Thus try seduction on the Master's heart: 
'Now make of stones Thy bread or I refute 
Thy Godly olaims to name Thee mortal man.' 
'And know yc not, 'the Savior's answer ran, 
'Man liveth not by any bread alone, 
But by each word which cometh from the Throne ?' 

With tact and skill the tempter turneth next 
To citc from Psalms a suitable new text, 

47 



As from the wilderness, so rough and brown, 
He had with Jesus entered in the town: 
'If Heaven's Son Thou art, ay, if Thou be 
Then čast Thyself from pinnacles and show it me; 
Or from this temple, for Thou must agree 
That if Thou art the Lord's He knoweth Thee, 
And never will He let Thee come to harm; 
Come, čast Thjself and show to me Thy charm!' 

The Jesus answered with, 'Thou shalt not 
tempt 
The Lord, thy God, nor show to Him contempt.' 
Then upward Satan took the Christ to show 
To Him from mountain tops the world below. 
As quoth he thus, 'these will I give to Thee 
If Thou wilt bow and worship only me.' 
'Get thee behind Me, Satan!' said the Christ, 
'For by thy wiles I can not be enticed.' 
And seeing how there was not victim there, 
The baffled tempter ceased his speech so fair 
To angrilv dissolve himself in air. 

When Satan left, the Christ beheld a form 
Of wondrous light, and felt a touch so warm 
Upon His hands, His famished špirit grew 
Ali live again as bathed in Heav'nly dew, 
And as the morning dawned, He passed again 
Into the world inhabited by men; 
Taught 'mong the strangers for a time and then 
He sought once more the village of His youth, 
Where preached He in the synagogue the Truth. 

48 



There gave His only sermon from a text; 

Yet those who listened were but šore perplexed 

As spake He from Esaias in this wise: 

*With Me the Špirit dwelleth to advise, 

To teach, deliver and to heal and bind 

Ali stricken ones of what so-ever kind.' 

He closed the book, then silent once again, 
He noted queries in the eves of men 
^Vhich seemed to say, *And why, if Ye are He 
The great Messiah, — ^why, then can not ye 
Perform some miracle that we may see?' 
He answered them in tones ali passion-thtilled, 
*Today in Me the Scripture is fulfilled ! 
I do not here what wonders ye demand, 
Hence have not honor in My native land.' 
Then cited He Sarepta and the one 
Among the many lepers who had won 
The Healer's ear while ali the others had 
But been dismissed, yet poor, uneured and sad. 

Then scorched by fiery words, the helpless 
moth 
— His audience — became at last so WToth, 
That they forgot the law of Sabbath day, 
And ali things else except the wish to slay; 
Tili soon with eager steps the angry throng 
Essayed to čast the Holy one headlong 
Adown a near by hill; yet God on High 
Was not then ready for the Christ to die, 
So passed He out in safetv from that place 
And to a friendlier land He set His face. 

49 



THE TWELVE SELECTED 

// ye continue in My word, then are ye My deci'ples 
indeed. 

OGALILEE! O lovel> Galilee! 
When sad and overwrought Christ turned 
to thee; 
Thou home of Cantisles and of the Psalms 
Where He healed hearts with Gilead's sweet balms! 
Once circled by great cities, numb'iing nine, 
And by the grove and mead and clust'ring vine, 
On ali bestowing beauty, strength and hope 
From pebbled shore to far off hilly slope. 

And as adown the vanished years we gaze, 
We see thy surface rippling in the blaže 
Of noonday sun; and mark the fisher boat, " 
And roman galley there at anchor float; 
There hear the noisy whirr — can it be dream ? — 
And o'er the wheel we see the foaraing stream 
Bring life to gold pomegranate and the pear, 
And citron and the lotus blossom there. 

Anear we see half hidden by that grove, 
Uprising temple, dedicatc to Jove; 
And there to Pan; there game and tournament 
With vast enclosures to their purpose Icnt; 
Then here the synagogue, built by the sea 
That for ablutions it convenient be. 

50 




■2 



And populous with souls from many lands, 
We hear the feet of thousands on those sands! 
Theie traders bring their stuffs to barter thera — 
Perchance for bauble, trade their choicest gem. 
There meet the Greek, the Roman, Elamite, 
To council, argue, and sometinies to fight. 

Alas! we wake to tind it ali a dream;^ 
Actual life be not as visions seem! 
Now Galilee doth glass no flying sail, 
And shrunk the highway to a donkey trail; 
No longer are hei cities marts of trade; 
No longer in her fields are fortunes made, 
Since gone are city, grove and harvest reach; 
Still some of beauty lives from that Ione beach 
To frowning faces of the distant hills 
Of black basalt; and too, hcr surface thrills 
In answer to the wild, untamed songs, 
Which burst from swelling throats of feathered throngs, 
To herald there within her opal light 
The rose-hued dawn or purple, starry night. 

Though passed He far to other regions Christ 
Was ever by that lovely sea enticed: 
As one day on her shore He paused to rest, 
He saw some anglers who were sore-oppressed 
As sat they hopelessly, with net and line, 
And o'er the fruitless waters did repine. 
Now He at first had watched them silently. 
And then approaching them said quietly, 
'Čast Ye again your nets into the sea!' 

51 



And they obejing soon had brought, to land 
To sprcad out there upon the golden sand, 
Great shoals of gleaming fish, and so full fain 
Imagined Galilee the briny main, 

Christ noted ali their joy, then sayeth he, 
Ye men, lay down your nets and follow me, 
For I woiild make you fishers of mankind^ 
And send ye o'er the sea the prey to find!' 
Then Andrew and his brother Peter rose 
And followed Him, to be the first of those 
Among the twelve desciples whom He chose. 

Took He that time, as later, men of grace 
And perfect faith, though mean in form and face; 
In nowise learned as the pharisee, 
Or Scribc, or rabbi, yet each willingly 
Through faith Divine, believed what Jesus said; 
Through that same Faith they followed where He led. 

Christ's mother, Mary, grieved in silent way; 
She could but hope for Him and for Him pray! 
So rarely had she seen her blessed Son 
Since first His work of healing had begun: 
Each day her špirit sad and sadder grew; — 
The iron of misery had pierced it through; 
And gladly did she give up home and friend 
That on His lonely life she might attend. 
Henceforth she followed where so-e'er He went, 
Her presence and her faith a sacrament. 

52 



Ahout this time we find that Jesus sought 
Out fuir Jerusalem, and there He brought 
To speedj justice those — the greedy bold — 
Who in the lioly temple hought and sold; 
There did Ile find ali sorts and kinds of trade; 
And such defamers, He in anger bade 
Cease changing gold within the house of God: 
In righteous \vrath, He gave thera of the rod, 
The while He cried: 'Ye vipers, know it grieves 
Voiir Ciod to have His house filled up with thieves!' 

The stricken priests so wondered how He 
dare, 
— The common Nazarene — to thus lav bare 
Their sinful acts, that loud their threats became; 
How could thev tolerate a eharge of blame ? 
Thev! priests and rabbis — highest in the land — 
Who served the altar at the liOrd's command! 

So plotted they how they might slav the 
Christ ; 
Though time and way that He be sacrificed 
Had not yet come, and therefore once again 
He safely passed beyond the priestly ken. 

One time so roused were ali His enemies, 
That Jesus quietly set out with these, 
The twclve desciples, Marv Magdalene, — - 
His mother dear, and others who had seen 
And known His wondrous works; perhaps been cured 
Of some sad evil human flesh endured! — 

53 



And led He them a pilgrimage to Tyre; — 
That place where sacrifice by sword and fire 
To red Astarte as religious rites, 
Gave multiudes and priests their chief delights. 

Twin cities, proud and cold and merciless: 
For conquered one, no pity, no redress! 
Thou queen of heathern-merchant of the world. 
Ali nation's banners at thy gates unfurled! 
And skilfullest thy subjects on the sea 
As brought they products of the world to thee: 
Of grain and špice and oil from off the plain; 
Of fish and peari and coral from the main; 
And golden broidered cloth and jewels rare. 
And slaves of worth with which none else compare. 
Slaves who theie toiled and died that thine estate 
Might through the ages yet become more great: 
Slaves who were sacrificed by millions there, 
Yet not enough! for priests with red arms bare 
Must pierce the soft white throats of infants ere 
Could be quite filled the letter of thy law, 
Which bade them sate their shiine's blood-thirstv 
maw! 



In brazen majesty thou sat in state 
Not knowing how 'twould one day be thy fate, 
For that sweet Soul — Euphrate's lowly Child— 
To enter — with His friends — thy gates defiled, 
And there to leave the Word which would dethrone 
The god neath which He heard thy victims groan! 

54 



WTien Jesus and Ilis followers entered there 
The throngs ali gaily garbed were gathered, \vhere, 
In booths and shops it seemed an endless fair: 
Where nianv lonojues madc Babel huild anew; 
And where the blessed Master stood to view 
The strings of camels; slaves in jealous fight 
And cymbal girls, and eager, dancing sprite. 

One day vvhile there, unto Him crying čame 
A Grecian \vife who begged Him in God's name 
Have mercy on her child, \vho devil tossed 
Was tortured tili her life must soon be lost. 
But He, šore grieved because of Tyrean sin, 
Thus answered her: 'We would the Children win 
The meat and bread, and so it were not well 
To čast it to the dogs! Tn anguish, swell 
Her whispered words to cries, as pleadeth she: 
'Crumbs fali my Lord which e'en the dogs may see, 
And may they not then eat ? 'Christ's face shone sweet 
Upon the one who knelt there at His feet 
As sayeth He with pleasure unconcealed, 
'Go thou in peace! thy little maid is healed.' 

When Jesus sojourned there tili seed was 
spread 
To give the hungry heathen living bread, 
He with His loving followers returned 
To that Jerusalcm o'er which He yearned; 
Yet soon again to be compelkd to flee 
From danger of the rabbis' enmity. 

55 



Ay, soon passed He to near Capernaum; 
And when into the city He had come 
His friends with sorry news made haste to Him: 
News of John the Baptist, in prison grim 
There to the south beside the sea of Lot, 
Where former friends and folIowers čame not! 
Christ learned of how Herodias, Herod's wife, 
Because of John's rebukes desired his life; 
How watched she banquet time, when Herod grew 
Convivial o'er his cups, and then she knew 
She might through strateg} encompass him, 
For knowing well how it were Herod's whim 
To watch her daughter dance, she straightway sent 
Salome in for his divertisment. 
Danced she so gracefuUv, so gayly he 
Gave promise that whate'er her wish might be, 
E'en to half his kingdom vast, then should she 
That half receive; instructed by her mother 
She made her wish, nor eould he put another 
In that one's place; the dancer only said: 
'I pray vou give me John the Baptist's head!' 
What though the Herod did not wish it so, 
He sent the headsman to the cell below. 
And there Chiist's herald met his tragic fate' 
Soon was his head, upon a silver plate, 
A crimson gift to woman's priđe and hate. 

The Christ was sorely grieved, and presentlv 
Set out to tour the whole of Galilee; 
And found He John and James at fisher trade. 
And noting their demeanor, straightway made 

56 



A choice of them, who gladlj followed where 
And \vhen their blessed Master might prepare. 



57 



THE SERMON WONDERFUL 

To enlighten them that sit in darJcness and in the 
shadoui oj death: to direct their feet into the way oj peace. 



T 



HE Horns of Hattin rise near Galilee, 
And from their points the traveler may see 
The storied land Christ viewed when there 
He taught 
Those lessons, on the mount, with wisdom fraught. 

Perchance the Lord ascended Hattin's point, 
The night before, that there He might annoint 
His o'ei-taxed soul in supplication, wheie 
His Father only heard His anguished prav'r; 
Nor did He take e'en one desciple theie; 
But in the morning, čame they to Him, when 
He bade them lend their presence Him again. 

What Heavenl}^ views the Savior must have 
had 
From far off Hermon to the hills of Gad, 
As fled grey night before the youthful day! 
There to the southward through the valle\ sped 
The rippling waves of Jordan -silv'rv thread — 
That broidered gay]y by the rose and thorn, 
Gave hfe and health to fields of growing corn. 

And there from paths and highways, far 
and near 
He saw the surging multitude appear, 

58 



As forth thev čame in one unspoke accord, 

To seck and find the blessings of the Lord, 

In wondrous synagogue ali lily-lit, 

VVitli wondrous explanations of the writ! 

Where wisdora marvelous in simple diess 

Poured into wounds a balsam measureless ; 

Where congregation — each poor, luckless wight — 

Had dewv, rose-wieathed footstool for his right; 

\\Tiere was no purple veil, no lattice high 

To warn the common soul from drawing nigh. 

Not only was there here a human throng 
But lark and linnet hushed their wonted song. 
To listen near; and e'en the wind was still, 
As though to hear the blessed Master's will. 

Now taught He there without the hope to 
please, — 
Poor man attacked by Pleasure's sweet disease, — 
Since spake He to the throngs in words like these: 
'The camel of the desert easier may 
Pass through the eye of needle than can they, 
— Who are the men of riches, worldly grand, — 
Obtain an entrauce to the Promised land; 
For whoso loveth gold finds ali his joy, 
In hoarding it where moths may soon destroy, 
Or where the thieves may break the guarded seal 
And boldly ali the wondrous treasure steal; 
And then ye know ye can not service do 
To Whom doth seek your love, and mammon too; 
To one and only one can ye be true!' 

59 



Yet more and more the eager throngs čame 
near, 
That they might better ali His precepts hear. 
Again I give to you the vital thought 
Of what His words to multitudes then taught: 
'Think not of raiment, for the lily is 
With none of effort clothed and known as His; 
And He hath decked it lovlier by far, 
Than proudest kings in ali their glory are. 
Nor need ye fret because of trouble near, 
Nor need ye any sort of danger feai, 
Since never sparrow nesteth neath the eaves 
But sweet protection from His hand receives.' 

And in His firm and gentle accents He 
Admonished ali that throng thus solemnly: 
'Lay ye not gift upon the altar tili 
Ye have according to God's Holy will, 
Made peace with those 'gainst whom ye have been 

brought 
To harbor in the heart an unkind thought; 
Since spite and hate bieed bitterness and woe. 
To turn the world into a seeming foe; 
Nor may ye with the jewish law comph, 
For it hath tooth for tooth and eye for eye. 
But love and bless thy fiercest enemy 
And give soft answers to his calumny.' 

'In secret thine alms do; both give and lend; 
Discard thine eye and hand if they offend; 
Pass ye your neighbors' motes lest they may blind 

60 



Vourselves to beams ye have of darker kind.' 
Aijain Hc said: 'Trust ye not nor helieve 
Tliose prophets who in proinisrs deceivc, 
For j)ower comes not except from One on High, 
And blessed thev vvho on naught else relv.' 

The Master rested there that thev might 
dwell 
On those fine truths, \vhich on their hearing fell; 
Then told He them how thev, from day of birth 
Became the preci ous salt of ali the earth; 
And warned them how they should at any cost, 
Preserve its savor lest its worth bt lost; 
Then showed He how true gold would štand the fire, 
And ho\v the servant should be woi-thy hire; — 
How the leaven of life should be the best, 
And talents owned should not be left to rest; 
Ho\v it were well to faint in life's great fight 
Instead of rusting without stroke for right; 
And how they should not neath a bushel hide 
Their little lights, but set them forth to guide 
Some weary traveler o'er the raountain side. 

And further yet the Teacher spake to them 
In sweet Beatitudes, each one a gem: 
'The poor in špirit, they shall blessed be 
As heirs to ali the kingdom Heavenly; 
And blessed thtv who trulv niourn and grieve, 
For thev a comforting shall soon receive; 
Thrice blessed are the meek — the world is theirs — 
And blest the merciful, to mercy heirs: 

61 



Then blessed thev a-hungered and a-thirst 
For righteous food and drink — they are the first 
Who filled shall be; while they who are the pure 
Shall see their God and rest with Him secure; 
Who maketh peace are blest and shall be known 
As children of the King — His verv own — , 
Then blessed who for righteousness' sweet šake 
Will cruel persecutions humblv take. 

He talked to them of prayer, that mjsterv, 
As deep, and marvelous as Trinitv; 
And thus His needed counsel did begin: 
'When thou dost pray enter thy closet in; 
Nor use ye there those repetitions vain, 
But supplieate in words sincere and plain.' 
Now pausing for a moment, added He., 
'And in this manner therefore now pray ye: 
Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallow'd be 
Thy Holy name, and may Thy Kingdom rise. — 
Thy will be done on earth as in the Skies. 
Give us this day our needful daily bread, 
And then forgive our debts,' the Master said, 
'As we forgive; and lead us not into 
The evils and temptations that pursue.' 

Now as the sermon closed He bade them 
when 
They saw an evil in their fellow men. 
To judge them not lest they themselves should be 
So judged at last with same severity. 

62 



And after telling them to not condemn 
Their erring fellow men, He said to them 
'Now he that heareth me, and heedeth not 
Is as thc house upon the sand, whose lot 
Shall be to perish there; while he that heedeth me 
Is as the house upon the rock, for he 
Shall štand secure through ali Eternity.' 



63 



SOME OF THE MIRACLES, PARABLES 
AND ADMONITIONS OF THE CHRIST 

My counsel shall starid and ali my will shall he done. 



A 



S Christ descended from that lofty mount, 
Not any one, I ween, would hope to count 
The wond'ring thousands there who quietly 
Moved on with Hira to shining Galilee! 



No journey made He but that at its close • 
The weary Jesus ever gladly chose 
To turn again to Gennesert's shore, 
There giving Hfe and health to many score; 
And soon His fame of heahng spread so far, 
He drew the world as drew His native star; 
Out from the east, the ailing pilgrim čame 
To seek the Man who had such wondrous fame: 
Medeia's mountain and the Chaldic sands, 
And Tigris valley sent their groaning bands. 
Past Damascus gates, and shade of Lebanon, 
With no thought of rest, but toihng ever on — 
Tili Galilee was reached and they, at last 
Could on the Master's love their burdens čast. 

So gathered round this wound, that fiery 
scar; 
— Oft sorer still than open festers are — 
This fevered patient, or that form unclean; 
The lame, the halt, the one who had not seen 
The sweet blue skies and grass} fields for years; 

64 



\Vith supplications, bitter moans and tears 
The> begged the Master to invoke His pow'r; 
And they who trusted Him were whole that hour! 

To hini \vlio lav distressed, the Jesus said: 
'Ariše! ariše, thou sick! takc up thv bed.' 
And he to whom this order \vas addressed 
Went forth alone without an ili possessed. 
Then, as in death, His friend E'azer slept 
In bitterness, the mourning Savior wept! 
But when the grieving pressed that grave about 
He called aloud, 'Thou Lazarus come out!' 
And straight čame he from out that rockj bed. 
To walk and talk as though he'd not been dead; 
Then prayed the Christ — štand i ng the tomb anear — 
'Father, I thank Thce Thou hast heard Me here, 
That they who listen have a faith more clear.' 

Now where a jewish wedding chanced to be, 
There was the scene of happy revelry; 
The youthful bride to bridegroom's home was led, 
For in his parents house must she be wed: 
In long processions passed the party there! 
The friends and neighbors bearing chaplets, where 
Twined rose and mvrtle; and neath torch's flare 
Was seen ali veiled — in clouds of filmy lace — 
The bride's long flowing hair, and rosy face. 

We learn of how, at joyous \vedding feast 
Spread out in Cana, wsis the Christ from least 
Of guests unknovvn; yet with desciples He 
65 



Had at request joined there the companj; 

And soon His mother, learning how the wine 

Had disappeared, feared they could not then dine 

Without to drink; so importuned her Son 

To serve the wine, or see that it be done. 

Now though the Lord was loth to show His pow'r 

Not deeming it the best and safest hour 

Yet did He favor her and Hkewise show 

His strength to His desciples, that they know 

They had foundation for abiding faith; 

To servants of the biidegroom, Jesus saith* 

'Fill jars with water; fill them to the brim!' 

And thcy obeying passed anear to Him 

But took the vessels to the troubled host. 

And he o'er-joyed with them, began to toast 

The wedded pair; then boast how he reserved 

The best of wine to be the last he served. 

The Jesus did not scorn the sweet dehghts 
Which human tastes require, nor lovely sights, 
Nor joyous sounds as man's undoubted rights; 
But sanctified He theie a human love; 
There smiled on marriage rite as from Above; 
And there when psaltery, and sweet cornet 
The tones of trumpet, harp and sacbut met, 
He did not frown upon the simple pleasure, 
Nor yet hold Euterpe's rythmic measure, — 
As won it dancing steps and happv song, — 
Since there was in these things no grievous wrong. 

As sat the Master at His meat one day, 
There čame the rabbi Jair, to of Him pray 
66 




Chnst Hraliiio tlic Stck 



The life of his voiing daughter, said to be 
In dealh's embrace; and, 'Doctors', sayeth ho, 
'Have done their best for her; have used the fat 
Of .ser])ent, brains of o\vl and eve of bat 
VVithout avail.' And so he moaned and wept 
Tili Christ assured him how the maid but slept, 
And hade him lead the way her bed beside: 
When there He touched her eyes; tliev opened wide; 
He touched her hands and said: 'My child ariše!' 
And sho arose and čast off death's disguise. 

And thouoh Christ charged the parents 
that they teli 
Not one of what that day to them befell, 
Yet soon the storv spread tili thought He best 
To seek the trackless desert for a rest; 
But eager throngs learned e'en of this retreat, 
And čast themselves in j)leading at His feet 
Wheie they could hear His voice and see His face. 
And beg a measure of His boundless grace. 

Now soon that throng with human hunger 
cried. 
And with no human aid the Christ supplied, 
From five small loaves and but two fish their need. 
Then passed their midst when anv praised the 

deed, — 
As turned He ali that multitude a\vay 
And went alone upon the mount to pray. 

With coming of the night a storm appeared. 
And by the lightning's flash the daikness cleared 
67 



Tili saw He fishermen upon the sea 

With badly rocking ship; and straightway He 

Went out to them despite or wave or storm; 

But when the men had there espied the form 

Of Jesus walking on the wave anear, 

Lest He be špirit, cried they out in fear. 

'Be ye of cheer! 'the Jesus did reply; 

'And be ye not afraid, for it is I!' 

Now Simon Peter answered: 'Bid me then 

Come out to Thee before these doubting men.' 

The Lord said* 'Come!' and Peter trod the wave; 

But sinking soon, he cried: 'I perish, save'' 

Then laying hold on him Christ Jesus saith: 

'And wherefore doubt, O thou of little faith ?' 

Another time from Simon's boat He taught 
The people on the shore, and there besought 
The multitudes to turn away from sin; — 
A newer and a better life begin ! 
And on the restless throng there softly fell 
The Master's gentle voice which did compel 
A clearer vision of the Heav'nly way: — 
Some hearts there were 'mong simple folk that day, 
Evolved the dark to light; that light which fills 
The shadowed life as warmest sunshine thrills 
The forest gloom to gold; while hate and spite. 
Are buried deep \vith grief of yesternight. 

Christ ceased His teaching and then turn- 
eth He 
And said to Simon, 'Put ye out to sea 
68 



To čast vour nets a<^ain', but Simon cried: 
'Ali night have wo among the breakers tried 
And caught no fish !' vet sought they once more when 
So heavv grcw the nets that ali the men 
Were needed there to bring them in again. 
Then did those fishermen, in abject awe. 
Crv out when this same miracle thev saw, 
'Thou art the Son of God!'— they first to be 
Who reeognized our Lord's divinity. 

Christ teaching by the parable but sought 
Those homelv tales with vital purpose fraught: 
Told ho\v the vinevard's lord impartiallv 
To each poor toiler gave an equal fee, 
Which caused ali those who bore the noontide heat. 
To loudlv murmur and of him entreat 
A fair division of the time each spent, 
Though even this gained not that lord's consent; 
Now Jesus told of this but to repeat 
His frequent warnings 'gainst a self-conceit, 
And show how few indeed the chosen were 
To ali those called, and how He might prefer 
The last as first when čame the final day 
To winno\v from the wheat, the chaff away. 

He told how shepherd would a-piping go 
Abroad o'er mountain top, for ram or ewe 
Astrav from l)eaten path, while other fold, 
The nine and ninetv to the lion bold 
Were left unguarded; how the sheep when found 
And brought to fold again, made joy abound 
69 



Far more at last then ali the goodij sheep 
Which had the strength the homeward path to keep. 

And so He showed who wanders from 
the right, 
From path of day, to one of evil night, 
Will in the end, if turneth he from sin, 
To Heavenlv fold be gladly welcomed in; 
And how the gospel teacher should not spend 
Ali time expounding law to who attend 
Upon his Services, but from the street 
Turn Homeward some lost pair of wand'ring feet. 

Now once Christ spake in parable this wise: 
'There lived a wayward son who did despise 
His father's counsel, and did go afar 
With ali his store of wealth, and there unbar 
The door of everv viče tili ali was spent; 
Then did his sated soul grow penitent. 
And said he sadly, "I will rise and go 
Back to my father that to him I show 
My sorrow for the evil I have done. 
And plead to he his servant, not his son!" 
But did the father, with swift, joyful feet 
Run forth afar, the prodigal to greet; 
Then killed the fatted calf, and fed him well 
And clothed his form. Christ showed how it befell 
The sinful children of the Father who 
Have strayed from Him the evil byways through: 
Let one repent and see the Father's love 
Go forth to meet him with the speed of dove; 
70 



The (lark and ragged raiment he replaced 
By robes of sno\v vvith everv virtue graced; 
New-filled the mind, the body and thc soul 
Tili sin-sick prodigal again is whole! 

Again in parable He told of those 
Fair virgins ten, who once together chose 
To set them forth, with swift and joyous feet 
The coming bridegroom on the way to greet; 
How five had trimmed their lamps and filled them, 

yet 
Ho\v other five this part did quite forget; 
How ali lay down and slept until he čame 
Then quick]y vvakened at his raagic name; 
Ho\v careful maidens did with bridegroom go 
To eat the marriage feast, while those too slow, 
The careless five, were left to gricf and woe. 

'Therefore watch!' said Christ, 'for know 
ye not when He, 
The Son of Man shall come to waken thee; 
And if the lamp of soul is, while ye sleep, 
Untrimmed and empty, ye will wake to vveep, 
And wail and gnash your teeth that feast is spread 
Beyond shut doors while ye remain unfed'. 

Once more He spake, and said: \\ sower 
goes to so\v 
Upon the hills and in the vale below; 
The precious seed, broadcasted ali around, 
If haply reaching to a fertile ground, 
71 



There will ye find a glorious yield abound; 

Yet sterile soil there is within the vale 

Where stones abound so thicklj, crops will fail; 

And so it is with man; the goodlv seed 

Seeks out the heart and whoso taketh heed, 

Brings forth in act the Father's word each day; — 

In souls that heedeth not, the seeds decay, 

Or spring they up, to later, unawares 

Choke out the wheat, and blossom forth in tares.' 

And thus was lesson gained to shape oui 
deeds, 
Since is the field the world. and goodl}^ seeds 
The King's own children here; while noxious weeds 
Are acts of evil sprung; the harvest field 
The end of ali the world, wherein the yield 
Is reaped at last by Angels, and the wheat 
Is laid as tribute at the Father's feet. 

Sought Christ to lead each soul to self 
review. 
As sayeth He, 'God's Kingdom is in you!' 
And then when asked the chief of laws diverse, 
He answered them in tender words, and terse, 
'Love ye your God with mind and heart and soul! 
This is the chief and yet is not the whole.' 
Though pausing there, He added presently, 
'Love neighbor as thyself and next to Me!' 

He taught to guard the mouth, and so 
beware 
Of evil speech, since what proceeded there 

72 



Was but tho index of the heart laid bare; 

And saveth He, 'Mav ye to others do 

Just as ye would the niultilude do you.' 

Then showed He how, ali raight through kindly 

deeds. 
And through a faith e'en as the smallest seeds, 
So build their lives that never need they be 
Accursed of God as was the barren tree. 

The throngs v*ere warned against their idle 
ways; 
In this wise taught to spend their wasted days 
Go work within My vineyard, for vvill you 
Find there the harvest great, and lab'rers few.' 

Then bade He them who were ali šore 
oppressed. 
To come to Him and He would give them rest; 
And to the multitudes who scarcely knew 
If they were His, He cried: 'I say to you 
Whoso denies Me here, he then will I 
Before My Father's throne in Heav'n deny; 
But he who doth confess Me, then will he 
To God, the Father be confessed by Me.' 



73 



THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS 

They that instruce many to justice shall shine through 
ali Eternity. 

CHRIST, ali of wi,sdom, wisdom's Holy 
fount, 
Transfigured was upon Ione Hermon's 
mount. 
With his deciples He had gone up there, 
From out the world to regions brown, and bare 
For sweet communion with His God in pray'r. 
His saintly face a wondrous halo bore, 
—And for the first, the nimbus Jesus wore— 
As ali about Him shone a mystic light, 
Which turned to day the darkness of that night; — 
Then Moses and Elias did appear. 
And from the clouds čame unto Him so near, 
They walked with Him and lield a converse sweet, 
As though thev did the Father's words repeat. 

Now John and James and Peter on their 
knees, 
In silent awe had viewed those mysteries; 
Yet Christ assured them ali indeed was well. 
And as from Heaven a solemn voice there fell, 
Upon their ears distinctly — every one — 
'Well pleased am I in My beloved Son,' 
They knew how they were chosen, each as friend, 
Upon His sacred steps to thus attend, 
74 



Hi^h Heavcn's acknowledgement to liear and sec, 
That thev might love tlie more His ministry. 

Now ere tlie Lord was come from off that 
lieight, 
Impulsive Peter cried: 'I would we might 
Build here at once, of tabernacles three, — 
All.fair, of wondrous siže; one each,' said lic, 
'To Moses and Elias and to Thee.' 
But Jesus bade them teli not what wa.s said 
And done that day, tili rose He from thc dead. 

As Christ descended from that mountain 
waste, 
Mid sand hills dun, mid thorns that interlaced, 
Mid svlvan solitudes in autiimn shade, 
Where falling leaves a golden carpet made, 
Perceived He aught of lovelj sapphire sky. 
And did He see the fleecv clouds scud by? 
Did He descry the wild swans sailing south, 
With note of lamentation in each mouth ? 
Or read He secrets of that countrv \vhence 
Ali come to earth but for a špan, and thence, 
Do soon return again that others may 
But tread the same, the natural, human way? 

If saw and thought He thus, — or yes or 
no — 
He gave attention to distress and woe. 
As halted He, — a tortured infant blest 
B} driving out the demons it possessed; 

7r> 



And showing thus, how though so weary He 
Forgot Himself in man's infirmity. 

Now mothers brought their infants to 
His knees. 
And His desciples thinking Him to please, 
Rebuked them sharplj that they čame so near; 
But as the children shrank away in fear 
Christ took them in His arms, and sayeth He, 
'Suffer the Httle ones to come to Me; 
Forbid them not for sueh God's Kingdom is, 
And those unHke can not be known as His.' 

About this time, the twelve insistently 
Desired to know the one of them to be 
His next in power when He should rule as King; — 
Attempted He to ease that jealous sting. 
As to His side He brought a Httle child, 
And said to them, 'Live ye thus undefiled, 
As simply, iighteously, and then will ye 
Receive your just reward, whate'er it be'. 

Soon sent He these same trusted twelve 
away, 
And bade them thus: 'Demand not any pay, 
Nor carry purse nor yet a fresh attire, 
Since man who toils is worthy of his hire.' 
'Go not,' He said, 'to ahen camp to teach, 
But rather seek vour countrvmcn to reach; 
— Those sons of Juda, those poor vvand'ring sheep, 
That in the fold of Satan are asleep — 
76 




The Transfiguratiot 



Then pause to cleanse the leper, and to heal 
Ali stricken ones, be they untrue or leal; 
Enlarge man's faith by raising up the dead, 
Nor c-ease to work tili earth to Heav'n be wed. 
Give ear to an} \vhoni My pardon sues, 
And whoseso-ever sins ye here shall loose, 
So shall thev be in Heaven; and ^nll ye find 
That bound hereafter shall be those ye bind.' 



77 



CLEANSING OF THE EVIL WOMAN 

Turn ye to Me and I ivill turn to you, saith the Lord. 
Turn ye from your evil ivays and from your ivicked 
thoughts. 

WHIIvE once Christ sat at meat with pharisee» 
His startled host was much chagrined to see, 
A public woman, — poor, despised thing — 
Cross o'er his guarded threshold and then 
fling 
Herself upon her knees at Jesus' feet; 
And from her lowly, penitential seat, 
To wash those bkjssed feet with scalding tears. 
And \vipe them with her hair, while seemed her fears 
Of what the Lord might say to one so low, 
Made her each moment to more timid grow; 
But when He did not speak, she praved that this 
Was not an angry sign that tears and kiss 
Upon His feet so lavished were amiss. 

So foith she broiight her alabaster box, 
Nor waiting it to ope by keys and locks, 
She forced the hd and showered sweet pei-fume 
Upon those feet, tili ali the lofty room 
Was filled with odors of the spikenard; 
Nor did Christ seek to hinder or retard, 
Expressions thus of penitent regard, 
Since He could understand the silken snares 
Which caught her vouthful heart ali unawares; — 
78 



If 'twere Ambition's smile, or Love's swect ray, 
Or Flatterv that paved the scorching waj. 

Christ noted Simon's disapproving glance, 
Which coldlv seerned to say, 'This circumstance 
Is strange indeed, for I have deemed Thee pure; 
And vet such glaring wrongs wilt Thou endure.' 
Then as those frowns and glances darker grew, 
The Lord said: 'Simon I would speak \vith vou' 
There lived a man of justice wondrous great; — 
Two men were debtors to the one's estate, 
In difFerent sums, vet both forgiv'n were; 
Now which will love and whi('h remember 
The creditor the more?' 'Why, I infer,' 
Quoth Simon, '\vho the more indebted was.' 
'Ay,' answered Christ, 'and this poor woman has 
Both washed and kissed My stained and toil-worn 

feet. 
And hath annointed them with unguent sweet, 
Not only showing how she doth repent 
But giving ali as silent testament 
Of love devout; the while that Simon, you 
Gave Me not kiss, nor rose, nor yet the rue. 
As simple honors to ali guests their due.' 

Then turning to the kneeling woman, He 
Said: 'Go thy way; thy faith reclaimeth thee!' 

True had this woman been an evil sprite; — 
Her beauty, charming manner, wondrous bright 
And sparkling wit had lured the sterner sex 
79 



Athwart the narrow path their souls to vexi 

Ay, many treasuries of lord and king 

Had emptied quickly, that their owncrs bring 

To her false feet the wealth of universe. 

But to receive, when ali had done, her ourse 

That stores of gold and jewels — howe'er vast — 

In hands thus prodigal had failed to last. 

As passed she from Christ's presence 
thankful tears 
Bedimmed her eyes; quite gone the smile that seers 
Fair youthful beautv and her purity! 
Who met the woman, turned about to see 
If they might learn why she was now rejoiced; 
The while sweet nature sang, — a thousand-voiced, 
Great hallelujahs with the hosts Above 
O'er one lost sheep found through the Shepherd's 
love. 

She knew the gall below the bubbles red, 
And kn^w where evil pleasures always led; 
So foith she went Christ's blessed words to teach; 
Ali who were sin-accursed she sought to reach 
Through her sad knowledge; counseling how they 
Might be set free, if minded to obev 
His blest commands; and then she taught how He 
Who touched the Savior's garments, might soon be — 
As she became,^ — fiom sin and sorrow free. 

As unto children, did the Jesus show 
Great pity for those, the gentler sex, and though 
80 



The worId acciised, condemned and would have 

stoncd 
This erring woman, He her fault condoned. 
Whon once men bade Him pass such sentence He 
But \vrote upon the ground so silently, 
That they accosted Him in louder tone, 
To hear Him say, *He first shall čast a stone, 
Who ever liveth, with no taint of sin.' 
'Twas passing strange how no one did begin 
The harsh chastisement, but soon turned away, 
With spent desire to push the brutal frav. 

When ali had left except the woman He, 
The Christ had said, 'And none condemeth thee?' 
*No one, My Lord.' she meekly did r('ply. 
Then softIy answered He, *No more do I'. 
He saw her penitence, and seeing lo! 
He cleansed her soul of guilt and bade her go. 

This evil woman who had been enticed 
To house of Pharisee to seek the Christ, 
That she her sins might lay down at His feet, 
And there beeseech a pardon free and sweet, 
Hath bcen, without a doubt ali WTongly named; 
And hath the tale been garbled, tili 'tis claimed 
That Mary, of Magdala, Jesus' friend 
Was once this woman of an evil trend: 
It were a sacrilege to think it so! 
For never one who could have sunk so low, 
Was blest with that fine nature which could be 
A comrade after, to Christ's purity. 
81 



Though true how He forgave, and true she rose 
From vilest depths, she could not rise to those 
Far, snowy heights, where others, — pure and sweet — 
Have ever kept through life their faithful feet. 
We cry out 'gainst this tale; what pity! čame 
To be applied a blessed woman's name 
To denizen of viče and hopeless shame? 

Mary, the friend of Christ, we learn was she 
Possessed by devils of insanity; 
So thankful she for cure, that evermore 
She followed Jesus that she might adore; 
— Sometimes from far, sometimes anear — as He 
Would have her do — but ever faithfully. 



BSt 




A Penitent JVoman 



JERUSALEM 

Aru! 1 irill lay it ivaste: it shall not be pruned nor 
digged; but there shall come vp briars and thorns. 

FROM Mount of Olives did one gain a view 
(When Jesus passed the chosen countrv 
through) 
Of that loved spot, the Mecca of the Jew. 
There storied dome and pinnacle sublime, 
\Vere for Jerusalcm, when in her prime, 
The merest atom of the swening horde 
Of wealth and might within her vision stored 
O Holv ('ity of proud Israel' 
VVhere priest and prophet ever loved to dwell; 
The beaming star, to \vhich the great, the mean 
Tumed eager eyes, as subjccts to their queen. 

Jerusalcm, that ancient, hallowed spot! 
To live within her walls a blessed lot: 
No ghastly dead within her confines lj,y 
Beyond the set of sun; and to obey 
Her laws in full, no garden spot, no smoke; 
No biddy provident with vicious široke 
To turn defiling worms; no leprous one, 
No loathsome beggar, and of heathen none 
E'er tarried there, so blest and guarded she! — 
From insects, serpents and disorders free. 
No sacrificial fire e'er quenched by rain; 
No vermin e'er defiled the victim slain, 
83 



And through the temple none might pass tili he 
Was by the bath from ali uncleanness free. 

Within that view were mountains, cliffs 
and vales 
AH o'erswept gently by the southern gales; 
There poised the eagle in the blue above, 
With watchful eye — that held a greedy love — 
Bent searchinglv upon the near by fold 
As doth a miser view his shining gold; 
And there the ox, with ereaking plow uproUed 
The mellow soil; or tili the eve from mom 
The harvesters mowed down the yellow corn. 

There on Mount Zion — hateful to the eyes — 
Jews saw the palače of the Herod rise; 
With blossom bordered stream, by captive made; 
With wood and garden spot of dreamy shade; 
With pink flamingo boldly wading out, 
In eager search of possible small trout; 
There biid of paradise, in graceful pose 
Outvying color scheme of blushing rose, 
While finch and lark and linnet in the trees, 
Unreaved in joy their tuneful melodies; 
There crocus, lily and acanthus rare 
Shed dainty perfume on the morning air, 
Where golden bowl and wall of gems outshone 
The guarded beauties of the temple throne; 
There blue and crimson broidered curtains spread 
To hide the passage, which in mazes led. 
To where that ruler had his couch of rest, 
84 



And where he hanquetted with bidden guest, 
Neath sno\vy roof with lotus overlaid, 
Wrought deftlv out in lazuli and jade; 
Where latticc oped to jasminc-laden air. 
And view was had to country far and fair. 

Therc to horizon 'gainst the deep blue sky 
Mount Moab in his grandeur won the eve; 
There off to sunset lay white, hidden sands — 
There shores Levantine, great encirciing bands, 
Around the ships in harbors safe at rest 
From journeys lately made to fabled west. 

When Chiist from OHve looked upon that 
plain 
Did He forsee the sorrow and the pain, 
The scourging and the taunts, the cross and thorn 
Planned by His people in their hate and scorn ? 

Howe'er that be the gentle Master's heart 
Flowed o'er with thoughts from His own Hfe apart; 
Despised, forsaken and rejected, yet 
His soul was weighed by sorrow and regret, 
As fair Jerusalem from off that height, 
A citv beautiful lay just in sight: 
The snowy temple, with its roof of gold 
Which did enchant who did its dome behold — 
Stood out so briniantly He need to screen 
His bhnded eyes from that too dazzling scene. 
Regret He felt was not in selfishness; 
His heart was sad because of that distress 
85 



He for the city felt in coming years, 
Tili o'er her fate He wept those bitter tears. 
And lifting up His voice, aloud He cried 
Against her sins of arrogance and priđe; 

'To thee, Jerusalem, thou loved one woe! 
Ye are indeed to reap as now ye sow; 
How often to My breast in shelter I 
Had gathered ali thy sons in safety nigh. 
As gathereth the hen her helpless brood, 
But thou didst cling to thy rebellious mood; 
How do I sorrow at thine evil state — 
Thine house to thee shall yet be desolate! 
As once proud tree — the monarch of the wood — 
Thou hast through vears in haughty grandeur stood ! 
But as that tree — bcfore thou art aware — 
A bolt from Heaven shall strip and leave thee bare! 

How truly He foretold is not denied, 
For priests who then reviled and crucified 
As chattels far from home debased the priđe; 
Those palaces, Avith wealth and beauty filled 
Are heaps of stones; and ali the fields then tilled 
— To give abundant measures of the grain — 
Have turned to primiti ve estates again, 
While cities everywhere throughout the land 
Have sunk to ruin as the shifting sand. 



86 



Now great the preparations through the 
land 
Whene'er was sacred festival at hand; 
The sacrificial ox by pilgrim tolled, 
Displayed an olive wreath on horn of gold. 
And heaps of snowy doves on dangling string 
Were always carried for hurnt oftering; 
And so with song and chant and trappings gay 
The worshipers to feast pursued their, way ! 

O, wondrous time! O, fulness of the feast, 
Whene'er it fell, from north, from south , from east 
And e'en from o'er the sea the people čame; 
— The well, the strong, the feeble, sick and lame — 
With joyous hearts, in sight of temple crest 
Spiead out their tents to worship and to rest; 
And as they sought the shrine, the priests in white 
Čame forth to meet thcm with a grave delight, 
For love of show and mystery prevailed 
With ali the dire effects such rites entailed! 

For certain feast the yearly time was come, 
And in Jerusalem a mighty hum 
Of voices strange, from out each sep'rate state, 
Rose on the air as into every gate 
There poured the multitudes in columns long; 
Now one of these — it was a special throng 
Which carried waving palm tips, \vhile the song 
"Hosannah to the King!" fiUed ali the air, — 
Had caused 'mong priests a wondrous stirring there. 
As viewed they ali the ciowds, and saw how they 
87 



With abbas decked a colt and fondly lay 
Their cloaks and coats athwart the Rider's way; 
Yet when they saw the Man — an humble one — 
Who a donkey rode — as common wights 

had done, — 
They jerred and scoffed and cried : ' We've often seen 
This strange blaspheming dog, the Nazarene!' 

But Christ into the temple went and there 
Did He against the acts of priests declare; 
As saw He court ali filled with pens of sheep 
For sacrifice, and rising heap on heap 
The wares for sale; the while the passer by, 
For nearer route, dared tread the altar nigh: 
He leveled booth and table to the giound. 
And bade the laden porter pass around 
As straight did He from temple courts outcast 
Each piece of merehandise, e'en to the last. 

The priests were black with anger when 
they saw 
The gentle Nazarene construe the law; 
And said thev^ — soon in councils secretly — 
'This Man doth now defy our laws, since He 
Doth heal and bless upon the Sabbath day; 
If thwart we not such evil deeds He may 
Bring doubt and disrepute upon us alL' 
So voice unanimous within that hali 
Was, 'Let us take this Man they call the Christ — 
Upon the cross must He be sacrificed!' 
Yet from their midst the Savior quietly 
Passed safelv out to friends in Bethanv. 
88 



Thou Bethanj, a peaceful spot of rest! 
And home of Lazarus, the very best: 
A wide, white, paven coiirt with trellised vines 
Through which the noondav sun ali softlv shines; 
VVhere gay acanthus and the citron shed 
Their daintv perfunies round;where fish are fed 
Within their marble fonts, while overhead 
The linnet and the swallow, in and out, 
In haste to build their nests flit there-about. 

Now though the Lord had wondrous 
vigor, still 
He often found His o'er-taxed form and will 
In pain refusing His desires to fill; 
At intervals He felt such need of rest, 
That gladlv did He go as chosen guest 
Of this same Lazarus, who sold his ali. 
And spent it for the poor, that to the call 
His blessed Master gave he might respond; 
Then other reasons strengthened that sweet bond: 
An open tomb, emptv and silent, where 
Once lav the Lazarus, with glassy stare 
In half-oped eyes; and spicy fold on fold 
Of WTappings, strange around his body cold: 
Then tender voice of One, the Great and Wise — 
Bidding him live and straightway to ariše. 

So to Lazarus and sisters — trusty friends — 
We find the Lord in sorrow often wends; 
On one of these occasions He commends 
Fair Mary more than Martha, that she lends 
89 



The more of time to learning Holy laws; 
Yet fretful Martha frowns and scolds because, 
The while she must the household serving do, 
Her sister doth the search for Truth pursue; 
Yet when she begged that Clirist her sister chide, 
He said to her, 'Tis well to lay aside 
The dark and tangled threads by worry spun. 
To grasp as Mary has, the Golden one.' 

Each time, in Bethany, His friends would 
fain 
Have had Him longer with them to remain, 
That He new stores of health and strength attain! 
Yet to Jerusalem turned He His way, 
When He had rested there on night or day; 
And when arrived, into the temple He 
Went pubHcly, as though the enemy 
Had not with threats compelled Him thence to flee. 

But let us pause to look that temple o'er; — 
A thing of beauty from the dome to floor: 
Red-veined, milky stone and ebony 
Ali carved to things of beauty o'er the sea; 
The statues were of golden grapes composed, — 
Each bunch the form of man in beauty posed, 
While here and there rose alabaster stair 
With which none other known could then compare; 
Then ark, and cherubim and alter high; — 
And purple veil which let no layman by 
Not even priest, except the highest lest 
Ali learn the secret of the Holiest! 
90 



The people swarmed upon those temp'e 
floors — 
They čame to hear the lowly Man in scores, 
Tili ali the space was filled e'en to the doors: 
Then sought the priests \vith (juestions to confuse, 
With hope that they through such an evil ruse 
Would gain some evidence whereby to cause 
Christ's overthrow, through blasphemy of laws. 

Each separate query Jesus turned on them; 
And did tlirough parable their lives condemn, 
His righteous \vrath— like to a scorching flame — 
In words burst forth, to bring them fear and shame: 
'Woe unto vou!' He cried, 'ye hypocrites! 
Ye scribes and pharisees! for is it writ 
That as the whited tombs without are ye 
When black within from foul iniquity!' 
Then warned He them how He should come as fali 
Of swiftest lightning, seen and known to ali; 
Take heed ! 'quoth He, 'the hour ye shall not know, — 
Or noon, or midnight, or the morning glow!' 

Now soon desciples čame, insisting He 
Should name the one of them who finally 
Would be the first in His new Kingdom, when 
He should declare it to the world of men; 
But sadly did the Master answer then: 
'My Kingdom is not earth; no crown of king 
May deck my brow, except the one ye bring 
To rest thereon in scorn; nor have I sword 
To steep in crimson waves, the Holy word; 
91 



I battle not save for men's souls, and I 
Would win through love the Word to gIorify.' 

'Who doth exalt himself, then he of you 
Shall there become as one I never knew! 
And why dispute ye here for worldly gain 
When seemeth it unto you ever plain 
How foxes have their holes, the bird its nest 
Yet Son of Man hath never place to rest; — 
The dust My cot, a lowly dwelling place, 
Used by the meanest of My native race'. 

'But as the grain must fali and perish there 
To bring new harvest time, so I prepare 
The way for peace, by losing peace through strife; 
The way for life anew by losing life.' 
Then gazed He sadly into blue afar 
And spoke as though He talked with hidden star: 
'Thy name, My Father, I have made it known 
To ali the world, and many are there grown 
To now believe that Thou hast sent Me here. 
To make Salvation's \vay more plain and clear; 
And as the priest and yet the Sacrifice, 
I pray Thee, Father let the awful priče 
I pay for sinful man, still purify 
The countless ages as they hurry by,' 

Then prayed He for desciples; 'They 
are mine 
And since I am of Thee, they too are Thine. 
Send forth Thy Comfort, to uphold, I pray. 
And give humility in Thine own way.' 
92 




?^ 



Christ having prayed thus, washed the 
feet of those, 
The twelve desciples; so it was He chose 
To teach them how no selfish one were great, 
No matter what his name or his estate. 

There čame a night, the last it was to be 
Spent there with friends in well loved Bethany; 
That eve in Bethanv, the stone built town: 
The grass and foHage of green and brown 
Shone silver here and there beneath the moon; 
There ali was push and hurry, for so soon 
A company would gather round to humbly greet 
Their Savior and their Lord whose weary feet 
Turned thither\vard that eve from angry horde; — 
That last sweet visit there! when Mary poured 
Upon Him spikenard and there adored 
Before them ali her Master and her Guide; 
Nor seemed one to object tili Judas cried: 
'Why minister to any human priđe? 
That precious oil would bring a goodly priče!' 
'But,' qouth the Master, 'She the Sacrifice 
Doth now annoint;' but surly sneering frown 
The Judas wore, and as the dark drew down 
The faithless servant slipped away from them, 
And hasting 'Ione to near Jerusalem, 
He there betrayed his Master's life, though why, 

we may 
Not ever know until the Judgment day. 



93 



Next morn the Savior sought the temple 
where 
He taught tili eve the throngs assembled there; 
And then departed He from out that door 
Never again to tread upon that floor! 
Soon sought He Mount of Olives, and could see 
Anear to him the vale Gethsemane; 
And high on hill rose bare Golgotha's head, 
Where many men had made their dying bed! 
Antonia's tow'r stood out a crimson pyre; 
And there the temple dome was burnished fire 
In setting sun; while arching rainbow hung 
Its špan o'er Kedron's stream, as twilight swung 
Grey lengthening shadows 'cross the near by vale, 
Where balsams waved and gardens greening lay 
And palms sent up their plumes to fan the gay 
Mad crowds assembled there, at Roman meet. 
To see some win the bout; some learn defeat 
In death and darkness at their masters' feet, 

These things saw Jesus, yet He did not see 
Aught save Jerusalem, as sadly He 
Communed with Self, of her, thus solemnly: 
'Thine enemies will compass thee around; 
And will infest and raže thee to the ground; 
Then ali the hosts of Heaven will combine 
To cover with thy ruins, thee and thine.' 

The humble soul of Christ, once bright, 
serene 
Soon grew submerged in shadow, and 'twas seen 
94 



By those, His follower,s how He became; 

Still more reserved, as neared He death and shame; 

Yet mingling mortal thoughts of human king 

With His Divinitv, did they still cling 

To hoj)e that some day — possiblv anear — 

He would a mightv kingdom 'stablish here. 



95 



THE WORLD'S MOST REMARKABLE FEAST 

/ am the Bread of Life; he ihat cometh to Me shall not 
hunger, and he that helieveth in Me shall never thirst. 

NOW fell it when the Paschal day had come, 
Christ sent desciples forth to seekf or some 
Remote and quiet room, wheie He might 
meet 
The twelve again and with them once more eat 
The yearly sacrifice, ere čame the hour 
When cross and thorn should be His bitter dow'r. 

That room of rooms! how simple was its 
style; 
A poor man's house; a common plastered pile 
Of sun-dried bricks; with guest room overhead 
To which they ali by Peter soon were led 
By steep and narrow mount; yet when within, 
They found the homely place had lately been 
With every table service well supplied; 
With jars of water fresh; with couches wide 
Where revelers were wont to take their ease; 
Though there was none of joyousness in these 
Plain simple followers of Jesus Christ; 
In homage to the gift then sacrificed. 
And through their love of Him, they gathered there — 
— Or ali save one, who for Him planned death's 

snare — 
That thirty silver pieces, red with stain 
Of His betrayal, he the paltry gain. 
9Q 



There \vas within that room an unasked 
guest 
Which entered through the casenient from the west; 
A guest, magnificent, so rich and grand 
That lie was welcomed into every land; 
The greatest king had sued his pleasant smile, 
His roval companv, and ali the while 
Stre\ved grass, and bloom and de\\^' incense sweet 
Wherever fell his majestv's svvift feet; 
This guest unbidden — although welcomed in 
Was dved a crimson hue as though for sin 
Was he this hour a bleeding sacrifice 
Served up without the bitter herbs and špice. 
With Cvlopean eye he stopped to gaze 
Upon the companv and send his ravs 
On that sweet face and gild the silken hair 
Of lowly Nazarene, who did prepare 
The feast with His own hands upon the board; — 
There selting forth the meat, the herbs, and hoard 
Of fruits and acids mixed to represent 
The mortar binding Jews in banishment. 

Since they were Jesus' gucsts it were but 
meet 
When He had done to wash the weary feet 
Of ali the t\velve — e'en those from off the street 
Which led from where the silver pieces čame; 
The swart, hard face of Judas grew to flame 
WTien Jesus knelt beside him, yet he dared 
Make not a sign lest secret sin be bared. 



97 



Christ Jesus blest the bread and calmly 
gave 
Of it to ali, not missing any save 
Himself who \vould not eat, He softlj said 
Tili in God's Kingdom He anew be fed. 
Then unto them, as ali more quiet grew, 
'This is My body which I give to you; 
And this,' He added, as the cup He filled, 
'Is Mine own blood for vour redemption spilled; 
As oft as this ye do then will it be 
A sweet commemoration unto Me. 
There cometh one among you to betray 
Your Lord and Master to the cross this day. 
And better were it for this one, I say 
Had he not known his wretched hour of birth 
For shall he be accursed upon the earth.' 
*0 Master, is it I ?' cried loyal John 
Who leaned his head the breast of Christ upon. 
'Or is it I ?' 'Or I ?' asked eagerly 
Those other ten from guiltiness quite free. 

But when the Lord had left with them 
no doubt 
Of who he was; the traitor hurried out, 
While those then left — yet twelve — in that small 

room 
Were so bowed down by sense of awful doom, 
That solemnly together they then sang 
A psalm or two to ease the soul's dread pang. 

And as they turn to view again that scene 
No marvel is there, men believe thirteen 
98 



Unlucky number for who ever sat 
At fešti vc hoard of it; and more than that 
Death — sad, untinielv, and perchance by plot — 
Must surelv fali tho diner's dreaded lot. 

The Jesus hade desciples that with Him 
Thev tread those halls and passages but dim. 
To leave that rooni grown mournful to their sight; 
Nor noted thev how duskv robes of night 
Were broidered by the stars, each dazzling gem 
As jewel from Jehovah's diadem; 
Nor yet how Pleiades with gentle eyes 
Sat sympathizingly in zenith skies; — 
Nor that the wind seemed hushed as thinking how 
He tenderlv might fan that fevered brow. 

Our Lord, in silence, crossed the near 
ravine, 
Through which the Kedron, gold-brown hills be- 

tween — 
Had ages flowed in solemn quiet there; 
— A fitting witness to a soul's despair! — 
The shades \vhich fell from Mount of Olive trees, 
And dismal moaning of the winter's breeze, 
Had made that grove a weird, uncanny place 
But for the radiance of One sweet face. 

There Jesus sat Him down beneath the 
trees 
With those eleven ranged about His knees; 
Ali by their sorrow held there silently, — 
99 



Though looking to the city they could see 

The temple court ali Hghted yet with glow 

Of sacrificial fire; and there below, 

The shields and helmets of the picket shine 

— In red and golden light — a brilliant line; 

The noise čame up as droning hum of bee 

Split throng by curlew wail of misery, — 

Ali sights and sounds but seeming poisoned darts 

Of mockerv to pierce their aching hearts. 

Yet while Christ's soul was bowed beneath 
its load, 
New strength on His desciples He bestowed 
In these plain words to live Himself in lieu: 
'As loves my Father Me, so love I you; 
And what ye ask, be it in mine own name, 
In faith believing, ye shall have that same. 
As sent my Father Me, so send I you 
With powers manifold, though numbers few 
I go,' He said, 'where ye can not now go, 
But to that place whereof ye ali do know, 
And soon to you I promise will be sent 
A Comforter, the true Enlightenment.' 

'I bade you once to go out unprepared; 
To preach the Word ye went and ye were spared; 
But changed conditions now (His words were terse) 
Exchange your coats for svvords — take bread and 

purse ; 
And whereso-e'er ye may hereafter go 
Defend yourselves against a hostile foe; 
100 



Still do your duty, and be brave and strong; 
That faint ye not although the way be long; 
Remember ye the widow and that she 
Gained ali she asked through importunity, 
And if ye push your quest and do not shirk 
Then will the Father bless you in your work.' 

The Savior told them He would meet them, 
when 
From out the grave He should ariše again; 
That He would seek once more the Galilee, 
Since they had nobly been beside that sea 
In labor, helpful comrades constantly. 

Šore grieved were they when said He, 
*Now although 
Ye swear me friendship, soon the wrath of foe 
Wil] turn your constancy to doubt and woe. 
And ye will flee away from Me and hide, 
While I your Lord am being crucified.' 
'No, no!' cried Simon Peter, 'though ali men 
Desert Thee Lord, yet will I surely then 
Display my loyalty close by Thy side.' 
T would not thee condemn,' the Lord replied, 
'And yet I say the cock will no more crow, 
Tili thou My loved desiple, thou w'ilt show 
— Through Satan who will then thy love entice — 
Thy faith in Jesus by denying thrice.' 

He told them that their Savior need to die 
Yet death's destruction He could still defy; 
101 



And did He promise — to their great surprise — 
That in three days He secretlj would rise. 
Then speaking softly as though from afar: 
'The Vine I am and ye the branches are; 
My peace I leave with you; My peace I give 
To your sore-troubled hearts while yet ye live; 
I go from here to make a place for you, 
That where I am there ye may follow too.' 



lOS 



THE BETRAVAL 

Arid they took the thirty pieces oj silver, the priče oj 
Him w}wm theij prized oj the children oj Israel. 

IN meditation sat the Savior long; 
And then as though aroused by temple song. 
And show and glitter there, thus sayeth He, 
To John and James and Simon, 'Take I ye 
To go apart with Me awhile to pray.' 
But prescntly He left those three, and they 
Could see Him there alone in attitude 
Of sweet humiHty as though He sued 
His Father's help in this infirmity 

Could any weakness in such pure Hfe be ? 
Did grey despind kili hope ? did no white star 
Beacon for Him life's night from gates ajar, 
And did the promised Angels fail tili He 
Had oftened suffered death's intensity? 

Now though He bade desciples watch 
and pray, 
Lest great temptation steal their hearts away, 
Yet none of vigil could they seem to keep, 
Falling at once to negligence and sleep. 

And after praying Christ returned to find 
The three to sight and sound were deaf and blind; 
He wakened them as moaned He, 'Could not ye 
But for one little hour still watch with me?' 
103 



Again He left and to His pray'rs returned; 
Then presently, as though He for them yearned, 
He from devotion rose and čame once more 
To find them sleeping as the time before; 
Still once again He went to pray alone 
And on that mountain threw His body prone, — 
The pray'r He uttered one submissive moan! 

'Twas past the midnight in Jerusalem, 
When last He called the three, and went to them; 
Asleep were they neath great passover moon, 
Without a sigh for Him who would so soon 
To waiting cross be led, the while that thev, 
Were left alone to fight life's bitter fray. 

And though they lay in slumber's arms 
fast bound, 
While drops of bloody sweat upon the ground 
Fell off the Savior's form, He did not break 
Their slumbers; saying, 'Sleep ye on and take 
Some rest before that hour which is to make 
Your shame and sorrow as the dark profound.' 
Now deeper grew the shades upon the ground. 
And on the burdened air did Jesus hear 
The tramp of many feet approaching near. 

As His deciples woke they heard a kiss. 
And quickly rising they inquired, 'Who's this ?' 
Then Judas cried: 'Hail, Master! is it thou?' 
Which to the soldiers meant, 'Now, take Him now!' 
But when those men of Caesar čame too near 
104 



The rash old Petcr cut himself an ear; 

Yet Christ rebuking him for such mad deed, 

Restored the member ere the wound could bleed. 

And then to Judas turning sayeth, 'Pray 

Wh_v dost thou Me, with kiss, to these betraj?' 

And then of soldieis asketh, '^\^lom seek ye? 

The Nazarene? Then take Me; I ara He. 

Permit the others though to pass ye by.' 

Then softly prayeth He, 'My Father I 

Have tili this bitter struggle lost to thee, 

Not one of ali the t\velve thou ga vest me!' 

How pitiful indeed, that closing scene! 
And sorrovvful that burdened heart I ween. 
As fled His followers the while that He 
Was led before the judges, there to be 
By many tongues deceitfully aecused; 
Though high priest Annas in a fear refused 
To question Jesus, and was glad to send 
Him straightway to Caiaphas to defend, 
Himself alone, ere He \vas hurried next 
To crafty Pilate, who but seemed šore vexed, 
That to a roman be assigned such task; 
And hence to Herod sent that judge to ask 
That he pass sentence on the Jewish Man; 
But soon returned to him, the answer ran: 
Tt seemeth that — the case is very clear — 
You Pilate, you must sit in judgeraent here!' 

But let us pause to view that judgement 
hali, 
Where čame the judge at Sanhedrin's mad call, 
105 



To try the Jesus for no greater wrong 
Than teaching Truth to lowly Hebrew throng: 
In rare mosaic were those agate floors; 
There pictured walls and ornate sandal doors; 
There columns lazuli and stately stairs, 
With labarinthine passages for snares; 
From bubbling fountains purling waters leaped; 
From niche and cornice, statues slyly peeped, 
As though they ali would see the guiltless One 
Have ready justice at that trial done. 

The judge's chair — bequeathed by kings 
of old— 
Was one of art, wrought out in shining gold, 
And gems and ivory of worth untold; 
While costly rugs in Ind and Persia made 
On that dais were thickly overlaid; 
Above which beauties, there was seen displayed 
A ceiling blue where brilliant stars reposed 
In grand celestial mimicry disposed. 

But lest that hali defile the priests, the 
chair 
And signs of office on the pavement bare, 
Were ali set forth at rising of the sun, 
Now custom long had been, to give to one 
A pardon for his sins, before had done 
The rites and pleasures of the Paschal day; 
And that they make the choice in their own way 
The Roman judge had asked in language brief, — 
'Shall this Man go, or yet Barabbas, thief ?' 
106 



In one united voice there čame the cry; 
'(live Jesus to the cross! Him crucify!' 

To Jesus turned the judge as questioned he: 
'Who art thou Man ? Knowest I govern Thee ?' 
In gentle scorn thus answereth the Lord, 
'The power thou hast the Father doth award. 
And so thv sin is measured in accord.' 
Now Pilate had some fear that stricken One 
Was what He claimed to be — the Father 's Son, — 
Yet was the will of Caesar such that he 
Must pacify the priestlv, lest should be 
Uprising there, and yet did he declare: 
'Ye treat this One accused nor right, nor fair, 
Since He hath not a fault; therefore prepare 
To go your ways, and leave Him here to me, 
To have Him scourged and then to set Him free.' 

Uprose the rabbis; then asunder tore 
Their sacred garments, while they fiercely swore 
That Jesus did a great sedition brew, 
Therefore to Caesar was the judge untrue. 
'Thou darest not,' they cried, 'thy king defy; 
So give Him here that we may crucify!' 

Then Pilate washed his hands the throng 
bef ore : 
He rubbed and scoured them long, yet more and 

more 
The stains of wrong stood out; the water grew 
Ali red and slimy to the judge's view; 
107 



Then turned he to the throngs and said, 'On you 
Be this Man's blood.' 'On us be it, ay, ay 
And ever on our children too!' they cry. 

So forth they brought the Lord in dread- 
ful plight; 
We shi'ink in pain, as mentally the sight 
Appears of that just Man — whose every act 
Was love itself — ^in hatred thus attacked. 

Before the crucifixion did they scourge 
The Innocent, with noise of lash for dirge 
To that sad, final hour so soon to come; 
And though His awful agony was dumb, 
Through ali that throng, distinctly there was heard 
The lashes, numb'ring thousands, which occurred, 
So rapidly as thus the ancient knout, 
In hands of brutal strength, whirred in and out! 

Men heaped upon the Lord a mean dis- 
grace; 
They buffetted and smirched His sacred face, 
And dressed in soldier's cloak to mimic king, 
He carried scepter and a monarch's ring; 
While rubied with the precious blood He shed, 
There lay a crown of thorns upon His head; 
And though He spoke not, by the lights there in, 
Those gentle, azure eyes rebuked that sin. 

Now when the Lord was free, that He 
might give 
Relief to ali, the throngs desired He live; 
108 



But when He fell no more to rise, then He 

Found ali His ardent friends but wished to flee; 

Though John and Peter, for a time were near 

Yet Peter soon deserted through His fear, 

And when accused bv that mad, surging crowd 

Of being Christ's desciple, he avowed 

That no true friend was he, and knew Him not; 

So how could he be party to the plot 

Of Nazarene; and thrice had he said, 'No!' 

When shrill and clear there čame the lusty crow 

Of barnvard cock to herald coming dawn; 

Again denials from his lips were drawn, 

While stronger oaths attached themselves this time 

To dark disloyalty's unholy crirae; 

Yet when Christ gazed within his cringing eyes, 

The gentle look made Peter to despise 

His evil act, and caused him thence to flee, 

In sorrovv weeping o'er his falsity. 

In penitence, the Judas sought again 
The crafty priests and to those cruel men 
Returned the priče of hire, with hope to stay 
The eager hands vvhich waited there to slay; 
But failing this, in bitterness he fled 
To seek forgetfulness among the dead. 

'Tvvas near (jolgotha's rocky, barren knoU 
That Judas gave to judgment his false soul; 
There on a Ione old tree his body hung, 
And to and fro in \vinter breezes swung; 
No requiem, no chant was for him sung, 
109 



But he as traitor met a justice true, 
Despised alike by Christian and by Jew. 

The query rises, why was Jesus sold ? 
Did Judas barter through his love of gold, 
Or did he seek position at the hand 
Of temporal king who might rule the land ? 
Or rather did he only wish to show 
That none his Master's strens;th could overthrow ? 



110 



THE DEATH OF JESUS THE CHRIST 

Hc haih poured out His soul unio deafh; and He 
bare tiie sin oj many, and made intercessioii for t/ieir 
transgressions. 

NOW parted they the raiment of our Lord, 
And čast they lot for vestment in accord 
With Jewish prophecv of ancient time: 
And then as though in punishment for crime, 
They on His shoulders laid the heavy tree, 
Which was so soon His dying bed to be. 

Oft Jesus šank beside the weary way, 
Tili lagged the hours to those who wished to slay; 
But seeking mid the throng thev found at last 
An alien Jew to whom there was made fast 
The mammoth cross, and then with joyous tread 
Onvvard the priests to blood-stained Calv'ry led. 

And as the women wept and lingered there, 
Despite or dust or toil or sun's hot glare, 
To them spake Christ, and said: 'Weep not for Me; 
Upon thy children, yet unborn, shall be 
The bitter load of ali My misery.' 
And when Veronica saw how the grime 
And sweat of torture marked that face sublime, 
She pressed her 'kerchief to His countenance, 
And grew astonied at what met her glance; — 
For lo! the likeness of that wondrous face 
\Vas stamped, on cloth, in ali its pow'r and grace! 
111 



Soon on the felon's tree was Jesus laid. 
And fast with nails, His blessed hands were made; 
Then through the flesh of feet there rudely tore 
Pain-dealing spikes, and yet the sweet face wore 
A tender pity, for the thieves who lay 
Fast bound to cross their human debts to pay; — 
On either side the Christ each one to bring 
To His poor tortured heart an added sting. 

The while the echoes of the hammer rang 
Upon the air, the choirs of Heaven sang 
Aloft a theme which mortals never heard; 
'Twas Christ alone knew how the Holy word 
Held such of precious balm it could not fail 
To ease the pain of each cold, cruel nail, 
And drown the cry that rolled up tauntingly, 
'AH hail thou King of Jews, ali hail to Thee!' 

Life-giving Word, which gave Him strength 
anew. 
To pray aloud as death upon Him drew 
'Father, forgive; they know not what they do.' 
And then as time wore on the Savior cried, 
In tones of pain, T thirst.' and one supplied 
A sponge ali wet with bitter liquid, while 
His act of sympathy, the priests revile. 
So limply hung His body on that tree — 
A startling picture of death's misery! 
Yet did the sun, scorching His patient face, 
Leave not on Hermon's peak its only trače; 
For turned to burning pen, each golden spire 
To write the Judas' shame in crimson fire! 
112 



Long did the Savior hang in silence there 
As though He eased the pain in secret pray'r: 
Then spake He to His mother, ere had done 
The last faint breath, and said: 'Behold thy Son!' 
— And ali knew how He meant the loyal John, 
Since he was friend to be depended on. — 
And then to John, as death's arms tighter fold 
The Jesus said: 'Thy mother now behold!' 
And do we learn how ever after he 
The faithful John, kept trust most worthily. 

As nearer still the end approached that 
tree, 
The suff'ring Victim wailed: 'Why dost Thou Me, 
My Father now forsake, in agony ?' 
And yet with ali His pain — with death so near — 
He heard the thief who cried in love and fear; 
'O Master, dear wilt Thou remember me 
When in Thy Kingdom Thou dost come to be ?' 
Ay, heard and answered: 'Verily, I say 
Thou shalt with Me find Paradise this day.' 

At last a look of triumph took the place 
Of bitter agony upon His face. 
And they who lingered heard Him presently, 
Breathe, Tt is finished;' then the joyful cry, 
'Into Thy hands,' ( — the watchers nearer bend — ) 
*My Father, I My špirit now commend!' 

Ali suddenly the golden sunshine grew, 
A murky, yellow light to human view; 
113 



And with a sweep, the wind's great sullen roar 

Encompassed earth as never yet before; 

The song of birds had ceased with whispered thrill, 

The while the flocks upon the neighb'ring hill 

Cried out in terror, as the god of night, 

Drank up in eagerness the waning Hght. 

Then did a sudden earthquake take the 
world, 
And as a bali was our poor planet hurled, 
Now forth, now back, as demons were allied 
In spreading desolation far and wide! 
And from Jerusalem did upward float 
A shout of fear, as from one mighty throat, 
Which with the crash of falling buildings there, 
Wrote death and ruin on the sultry air! 
Around the lifted cross there streamed the throngs 
With curse and blasphemy, or tears and songs. 
As wildly 'cross those skies the lightning's flash 
Split wide earth's canopy with crimson gash, 
And thunders rolled with mighty crash on crash! 
But hark! a louder note in that refrain, — 
The purple temple veil was rent in twain! 

Eclipse of nature did not hide that sun, 
For save at lunar change, no such an one 
Had e'er been known; and feasts of Paschal time 
Fell when the moon, full-orbed, in glow sublime, 
Sent forth her mellow splendor over ali; 
While at this hour in darkness to appall 
The stoutest heart, the laws of nature changed. 
And with Christ's death ali life became deranged. 
114 



True camel train swung over foreign sands. 
Krom Egy|)t, Arabv and other lands, 
Where brightlv shone the sun and roses drew 
The balm of life from out the sparkling dew; 
And far a\vay the bright blue vvaters were 
AH palpitate with song of mariner, — 
But His dear feet had pressed no foreign plain, 
Nor had He ever sailed the briny main; 
'Tvvas there in Palestine, where'er His feet 
Had trod the soil, or where His voice did greet 
The sinful masses, those vvide shadows flung 
Ath\vart the skies as ebon curtain hung. 

Nor this the only darkness Heaven spread. 
To shrink the sinful soul in fear and dread, 
Since years before there was on Egypt čast 
Such utter blackness, did she štand aghast; 
Though such condition was unto her sent 
By God's avenging hand as punishment, 
Because she \vould not let enslaved Jew 
His long sought homeward journey then pursue. 

Now while the Christ still hung upon the 
tree 
The vengful rabbis turned from Calvary, 
And to the snowy temple hurried where 
They offered sacrifice, and ev'ning pray'r; 
And there those goary hands passed up the blood, 
One to a not her as in rows they stood, 
Tili the altar rested in a crimson sea, 
Which flowed without and nourished olive tree 
115 



And fig and citron, tili their products grew 
Of note and value ali the wide \vorld through. 
What though the sacrifice was duly made, 
The priests and rabbis were ali šore afraid 
Whene'er their evil eyes beheld the view 
Of gold and purple veil tom half into. 
Holy of Holiest ali might see, 
And yet to look was near to blasphemy, 
Since on the great high priest and him alone 
The glory of that spot had fitly shone. 

Like fires of cursed Hinom shone the bright 
And fierce red glow — the sacred alter light — 
The lean wild dogs set up their hungry howl, 
And ghoulish birds of night carae forth to prowl. 
Ere night had come; unnatural darkness aid 
To every evil creature's thieving raid. 

The law of Jew forbade that body be 
After the set of sun upon the tree; 
And hastened they the end as cruelly 
They brake the victim's bones; but fell it now 
The soldiers čame that way and seeing how 
The blessed Savior was already dead, 
Grew šore dismayed, and one of them was led 
To pause a time, and then within that side 
To thrust his spear; but finding life's red tide 
Was naught but water there, he cried in fear; 
'Now truly know I Son of God is here!' 

Imagine ye the Savior on the cross! 
Then weep ye Jews above your nation's loss, 
116 




A Cross and a Croivn 



Imagine ye the stripes, the blood and nail! 
Then weep again that ye didst Hini assail. 
See ye those feet that mercy's path hath trod, 
And mourn ye ali as pass ye 'neath the rod 
Look once again and see the crown of thorn, 
l^hen weep ye for your children yet unborn! 

In pain have ye not borne that heavy cross ? 
And has the Jewish race not suffered loss 
Of vital blood, from stripes and sword and law 
\Vhich for their persecutions have no flaw ? 
Know ye there rests— despite or time or place — 
(rolgotha's shade upon thine entire race 
When light of honor oft should fill the place ? 



117 



THE RESURRECTION 

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is 
risen; He is not herc. 

FROM off the cross in bare Golgotha's vale, 
Was stripped the Savior's body stark and 
pale. 
And given to friends, who begged the 
privilege 
Of saving it frora that dread sacrilege 
Of rest in potter's field His blood had bought; 
A man by name of Joseph had besought 
The Savior's precious form, that he might lay 
It down in new-made tomb tili čame the day 
When Angel hands would roll the stone away. 

With what sweet pity did those friends 
prepare 
That body for the tomb, ali quite aware 
How He was their Messiah; spices rare. 
And bands of finest linen did they use 
AH sprinkled over with their tears profuse; 
Then placed within the tomb, the outer door 
Was sealed as many thought forevermore; 
There soldier guards \vere stationed round about 
That by no chance could He be taken out 
To prove the daim of those who lately said, 
That in three days would He no more be dead. 
118 



When those three davs had passed, sweet 
Mary, maid 
And niother true, had gone where Christ was laid, 
Where with some friends, she saw an Angel bright 
Of wondrous strength and dignitv and might 
Roll back the stone which lay the tomb before, 
But when the women signs of terror bore, 
The Angel said to them, 'And \vhy fear ye? 
I know for whom ye seek; not here is He, 
For He is risen now; yet surely inay 
Ye see the spot whereon the Savior lay. 

They entered in and found upon the floor 
Of that grey tomb, the Hnen bands He vvore; 
Then did they herald their strange news aboiit 
Tili every one who had a spark of doubt, 
( — Though many did not seem to be o'er brave — ) 
Ran hurriedly to view the open grave. 

Now learned they soon that when the 
Jesus rose, 
Invisiblv He passed by ali of those 
Who kept the watch, and in the garden stood; 
When Mary Magdalene, who thought He could 
But be the gardener, had asked Him where 
Some one had ta'en her Lord away from there; — 
He straightway nearer to her presence čame 
And 'Mary,' softly spake; the seeker's name 
Had oped her eyes: 'Rabboni !' crieth she 
And fell upon her knees ali joyfully. 
He bade her touch Him not, but said: 'No\v run 
And teli the Simon what thy Lord hath done.' 
119 



To some of His desciples soon had He 
Appeared upon the shore of Galilee; 
Convinced He too, the doubting Thomas that 
He was the self-same Jesus who had sat 
With him at meat, ere taking that last leave 
In olive grove, upon the fatal eve! 

And said He unto Thomas, 'Thou dost see 
And hence believe; but blest indeed is he 
Who hath not seen my wounds and yet can say 
How He beheveth on his Lord this day!' 

With three of His desciples did He walk 
To Emmaus, and with them did He talk 
Upon the passing subjects of the day; 
And as He spake with them, it seemeth they 
Dwelt long on how their blessed leader Christ 
Had on the cross been lately sacrificed; 
And when at meat He found how they believed, 
He opened up their eyes tili they perceived 
The Lord in flesh, for one short moment, then 
He vanished from their mortal sight again. 

Full many times did Christ, the Lord 
reveal 
Himself to whom He loved, nor yet conceal 
From those, the multitudes how He was then 
Save for His wounds the same before ali men 
As though His crucifixion had not been. 

To Peter gave the Christ a searching test; 
— To prove his falty, the question prest — 
120 



'Thou Simon, son of Jonas lovest Me?' 

'Yea Lord,' said Peter, 'truly I love Thee!' 

Again and vet again the Savior sought 

To find dislovaltv in Peter's thought; 

Then after testing him as oft as he 

Had once denied his Master knowingly, 

'Then feed My larnbs' Christ said; 'My precepts 

keep. 
If thou dost love Me well, feed ali My sheep.' 

Then dwelling on his charge and human 
crimes, 
'Shall we forgive,' said Peter, 'seven times ?' 
He feared the Christ would say him nay, instead 
'Seventy times that seven,' the Master said. 

The Lord to Bethany soon led them on, 
As lovingly instructed He upon 
The path He smoothed for their unwary feet; 
While vet addressing them in language sweet, 
That Sacrifice for man — The Morning Star — 
Arose from off the earth, ascending far 
Through dimning clouds, into the gates ajar. 

A life beginning as ours in weakness dire; 
Nourished by food and air as men desire — 
Dying also in weakness as we die 
That woe and agony did not defy; 
That teaching faith of childhood — simple deeds — 
With none of pomp and none of rites or creeds! 
121 



To those desciples left alone a new 
And sterner field of action oped to view; 
Yet were they rich in faith, and wise and brave 
Because of courage and of strength He gave; 
How they ali used that lielp, througli toil and strife, 
Is told in records of each faithful life. 

When Jesus rose there rested on the earth 
A greater stillness than was at His birth; 
Nor branch, nor leaflet moved on any tree; 
The waters stopped at flow on Galilee; 
In awe the herds and flocks stood silently; 
The vulture in mid air forgot to wing. 
And lark and bulbul sought no more to sing, — 
So quiet was the world, that waiting, she 
Might glimpse the door of far Eternity. 

But when had passed from out the earthly 
sight, 
Our blest Redeemer to the realms of light, 
There faintly čame from out those shining skies 
A song of Angels in far Paradise, 
While softly wafted on the balmy breeze, 
Čame od'rous air from Lebanon's great trees; 
Again the goldfinch warbled notes of love, 
Attuned to songs descended from Above, 
While waves of Galilee sped out from shore 
And dived the white-robed pelican once more. 



12« 



The Pagan knew not God, and though 
the Jew 
Proclaimed his faith aloud, he never knew 
Salvation was for any save his own; 
No ray across these deeps had ever shone 
Tili Jesus Christ, one born of Juda čame 
To give mankind its freedom through His name. 

In more than Scripture can the seeker find, 
The life of universal King defined; 
For Shakespeare, master intellect yet known 
To Jesus humble reverance has shown, 
In passages ali tender, sweet and pure 
Which through the fleeting ages must endure; 
While such as Galileo, Newton and 
The poet Milton rose on every hand 
As firm supporters of the Gospel word; 
Then learn we how Napoleon averred 
That his proud kingdom rose through force, to fali 
Yet later through that wrong beyond recall, 
While that of Jesus rose through in love to live 
Through ali the ages God might choose to give. 

In Virgil's writings did that Pagan true 
Uphold the prophecy of kingdow new; 
King who for sin-enfeebled man would rise; 
King who would loose and strengthen and advise, — 
And He of whom tliis poet seer foretold, 
To be of Juda born, anew to mold 
The universe, and raise on every hand 
A ruling emblem from the Promised land; 
123 



And on humanity o'er ali the earth 

Would fali a blessing from that Ruler's birth. 

Then books of Egypt, known as Sibylline, 
Predicted that when Rome should rise as queen 
Of ali the world, a grand Immortal king 
Would claim her scepter, and would straightway 

bring 
A realm of perfect love; — a realni sublime, 
Growing strong and stronger through the lapse of 

time. 

Ay, truly hath He come and gone again — 
Marki ng the pathway for the feet of men; 
He hath followed the trail of weariness, 
Mid thorns of pain, and our poor feet must press 
That same highway, although it now is spread 
With sward in place of stones, and perfume shed 
By rose and lily petals, where there grew 
But cruel thorn when He that way passed through. 



124 



THE SACRIFICE 

For God so hved the world that He gavc His only 
bcgotten Son, tJiat ivhoso-ever helieveth on Him sliould 
not perish, but kave everlasting life. 

THE ewe doth gasp in death upon the plain; 
To save her one wee lamb has she been 
slain, 
\Vhile she that doth the weaker mother ,slay 
To feed her starving voung, l)ecoraes the prey 
In turn, of stronger foe, the meat to get; — ■ 
The threatened shepherd, though in danger, yet 
From pro\vling beast will save the hunted sheep, 
Or in the eftort meet his last, long sleep. 

A husband wilhngly would give his hfe, 
To save from death the precious threatened wife 
While she would beard the hon in his den 
To turn his fangs from one dear man of men; 
Ali things will lover for the loved one brave, 
While friend for friend will meet an earlv grave. 
And rather than a child be aught denied 
The parent oft has labored, pinched and died; 
Then man goes forth to time of martial songs, 
To battle for his country's rights or wrongs, 
Not knowing either, when will come defeat 
To make of well-loved flag, his winding sheet. 

Men laud that hero, who for righteous 
cause, 
Has courage to forestall the Reaper's laws; 
125 



Yet scoff they at the One who claimed to die, 
That He the threatened soul's protection buy! 

The aged parent, with a breaking heart 
For freedom's cause, will give consent to part 
With only son, while wife and sweetheart give 
Their one beloved that the nation Hve; 
This sacrifice they offer but to save 
Those things material, and man cries: "Brave!" 
Yet when upon the alter God did lay 
His best Beloved, for angry foe to slay 
That He thus compensate the bitter priče, 
Of sin-degraded man — the Sacrifice — 
Then cry we out, with horror-Ufted hands, 
"Ali such atonement breeds in Pagan lands!" 

So seemeth it the doubting Thomas still 
Doth tread the earth to do the tempter's will; 
And when in argument, we hear him say, 
"AH know such birth could not be nature's way!" 
And yet the while — poor worm — proclaimeth he, 
"Ali things with God are possible to be!" 
And addeth he, "The older Testament? — 
It is inspired — is by Jehovah sent.' 
Nor does he doubt that Eve and Adam čame 
From wondrous mystery, whose awful name 
Is God the Father; yet declares he, "Christ 
For sin of man was never sacrificed." 
Indeed the bleeding palms must be espied, 
And must he thrust his hand within that side, 
To know the power of God is such that He 
Holdeth to birth, and life, and death the key. 
126 



\Vhat maketh ali tlie joy down here below ? 
Is it that we can really, trulv know 
Bevond a doubt, our friends and loved ones true ? 
And is it that we pierce life's curtain through. 
And learn from whence we sprang, and surely know, 
With none of doubt, the pathway we sliall go ? 
Or is it we can trust whom we can love, 
And is it that we trust the God Above ? 

Ay, thcre the secret; there the perfect whole! 
Faith is the niainspring of the human soul. 
And through that faith we reach our cherished goal; 
The force of power, of knowledge, fame and wealth, 
The force of strength, development, and health 
Hath come to man through faith in things unseen; 
Ali gained in art, in love; and ali the keen 
Pursuit of pleasure have through faith been gained ; — 
That Faith which to the summits hath attained 
While Doubt in unknown regions hath remained. 

And somewhere is that small, insistant 
voice 
Which bids weak man believe and so rejoice 
Through faith in Him who, vvearing cross and crovvn 
To purge the world, a sinless life lay down. 

So oflFer we the myrrh, and nard and rue; — 
With frankincense the shrine of Jesus strew, 
And as we go our separate earthly ways, 
The paeans of our gratitude and praise, 
— With kindly deeds and life of purity — 
127 



May ope some blinded eyes to rightlj see; 
May teach some stubborn, unbelieving heart, 
To know Thee, blest Remeemer as Thou art. 



128 



M^ 



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